James Brennan

New York Municipal Police — New York City, NY

Felonious

End of Watch October 28, 1888

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman Brennan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an ex-convict for assault at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 33rd Street. As Patrolman Brennan tried to arrest the suspect, the suspect drew a revolver from his person and shot Patrolman Brennan four times in the head, killing him. The shooting attracted the attention of two other Patrolmen who were walking their beats. They confronted the suspect as he attempted to escape. The suspect tried to shot the patrolmen, but one patrolman struck the suspect in the head with his club, knocking the suspect unconscious. The suspect was convicted of murdering Patrolman Brennan and executed on December 5, 1889. Patrolman Brennan assigned to the 21st Precinct.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Brennan served with the New York Municipal Police Department.
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

Department New York Municipal Police

Type Police Department

Location New York City, NY

Platform Identity nymunpd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 28, 1888

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

See the roll

Compare against

Time

In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.

Every year on record · Worldwide

Who

James was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded