Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today honored 100 members of the Police Department who died in the line of duty and added their names to the Memorial Wall at One Police Plaza. The careers of those Police Officers span the entire history of the New York City Police Department with honorees who were killed in the line of duty as early as 1849 and as recently as 1997. Historical additions to the Memorial Wall are part the NYPD’s unwavering effort to fully delineate their own history and give the proper recognition to those who have previously served.

“The Memorial Wall at One Police Plaza is an inspiring honor roll that goes back to the mid-19th century,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “The overriding qualities shared by the Police Officers being honored and those who serve today are the dedication and bravery that occur every day in the life of a Police Officer.  It is an honor to add the names of these officers whose sacrifices until now have been overlooked.”

“Today’s ceremony reminds us that Police Officers have made the ultimate sacrifice from the Department's earliest history to the present day,” said Commissioner Kelly. “The presence of their descendants and loved ones underscores that fact. It also renders their sacrifice, and our service today, all the more meaningful.”

The 100 names are being added after a long and painstaking process. The majority of these deaths predate computers and even more basic record-keeping such as death certificates. Members of the Department’s Personnel Bureau examined countless documents and archival newspaper records to ascertain who may have died in the line of duty and the details surrounding their deaths.

Some examples of Police Officers whose names were added to the wall include three that were killed during the Civil War Draft Riots in 1863. On July 19, 1863, Patrolman Edward Dippel was shot, and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, while attempting to clear rioters who were looting the Gibbons House on 29th Street near 8th Avenue. Patrolman Peter McIntyre and Patrolman John T. Van Buren were beaten by rioters in separate events during the Draft Riots and both ultimately died from their injuries. Patrolman McIntyre died on August 9, 1863 and Patrolman Van Buren on November 7, 1863.

Other examples include Officer Thomas Gleason and Patrolman Patrick K. Cushing who were both killed in the line of duty over 100 years ago.  On September 5, 1893, Officer Gleason was directing traffic at the intersection of Broadway and 10th Street when he was struck and run-over by a horse drawn cab. Officer Gleason sustained massive injuries from both the horse and the wheels of the cab, and was pronounced dead at the scene. On October 28, 1904, Patrolman Cushing was the first responder to a fire that had broken out at the Bush Terminal. Patrolman Cushing entered the burning building to locate and rescue any victims. While conducting his search, Officer Cushing was cut off from his escape path and died in the fire.