Patrolman

Thomas Meagher

Accident
End of Watch April 27, 1899
Age 38
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 15 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Meagher died of injuries he received a week earlier when he was struck by a car.

Patrolman Meagher was stationed at Chambers Street and Broadway in Manhattan. He had just assisted two women across Broadway when he was caught between north and south-bound traffic. The corner of a southbound car struck him on the right arm, causing Patrolman Meagher to fall where he was almost run over.

A citizen assisted the officer up, and he walked to the Hudson Street Hospital, where it was discovered that his arm was broken in two places, between the shoulder and elbow. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Patrolman Meagher died seven days later from complications arising from the injuries.

Patrolman Meagher is the first law enforcement officer to die as a result of being struck by an automobile.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Meagher gave the New York City Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 27, 1899
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Cause Detail Struck by vehicle

The Sacrifice · Accident

Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1899, 15 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 129th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Thomas Meagher

New York City Police Department · End of Watch April 27, 1899

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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