Prev
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.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr2exgkvr5shd14j38q5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Municipal Police has lost 21 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
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.
Time
In 1888, 1 officer at New York Municipal Police was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1851, with 2.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 45. Of the 15 killed feloniously at New York Municipal Police whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 43; the middle age was 37.
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.
When
October holds 6.3% of these deaths at New York Municipal Police; December holds the most, 18.8%. Sundays: 18.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.2% of all 21 deaths at New York Municipal Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 18.8% of these deaths.
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.
His people
New York Municipal Police has 21 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
Thomas Lynch Sep 27, 1849
-
William Helms Oct 16, 1849
-
George T. Gillespie
Jul 10, 1851
-
Michael Foster Aug 4, 1851
-
George Trenchard Jun 2, 1853
-
James Cahill Sep 29, 1854
-
David Gourley Nov 5, 1854
-
Stephen P. Hardenbrook Apr 15, 1857
-
Edward L. Burns Dec 2, 1873
-
Thomas Evers Nov 8, 1874
-
James McGiven Jul 24, 1876
-
Asa W. Furness Dec 29, 1878
-
Thomas J. Norton
Dec 19, 1881
-
Thomas Gallagher Nov 6, 1882
-
William Heaviside Jan 18, 1883
-
Francis Mallon May 4, 1883
-
Oliver Vance Stewart Feb 2, 1884
-
James North
Aug 21, 1885
-
Robert A. Montgomery
Jan 11, 1887
-
Patrick J. Treanor Oct 31, 1887
-
James Brennan Oct 28, 1888
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from New York Municipal Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
