Patrolman John H. A. Wilson, New York City Police Department, New York

Patrolman John H. A. Wilson

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, September 23, 1937

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John H. A. Wilson

Patrolman John Wilson was shot and killed when he attempted to apprehend three men for robbery.

Patrolman Wilson was on a traffic post when he was informed of a robbery taking place on the second floor of 35 Fulton Street, Manhattan. Patrolman Wilson drew his revolver and entered the location. When he got to the second floor, he observed that two men were tied up. Before he could take any action, one suspect hit Patrolman Wilson in the head with the butt of a gun, knocking him to the floor. Patrolman Wilson was able to get to his knees and open fire but was shot and killed by the three suspects.

Two suspects were later apprehended and charged with first-degree murder. They were convicted and sentenced to death. Both suspects were executed at Sing Sing State Prison on January 5, 1939.

Patrolman Wilson had served with the New York City Police Department for 11 years, assigned to the 1st Precinct. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 37
Tour 11 years
Badge 15182

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Executed in 1939

robbery

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Most Recent Reflection

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Patrolman John Harold Wilson was my uncle. He was killed in the line of duty the year before I was born. I will soon be 85 and remember the scrapbook that my mother had with a collection of newspaper articles and the many stories of the the murder and trial of the two criminals that were caught. My mother always said that there was another one, but he was never caught. My uncle was on duty in lower Manhattan when a woman leaned out a window yelling to him that there was a robbery occurring in the building. It was a gold smelting company where they melted down gold. There was hot wax used during the process. Patrolman Wilson went into the building, went up the stairs and entered the door to the company and was attacked and shot at, When it was over he had been shot nine times and dipped in the tub of hot wax. He died in the hospital a week later. His murderers were caught by leaving their fingerprints in the wax. They were convicted of murder and sentenced to Death in the Electric Chair. They received their just desserts at Sing Sing Prison. They should bring back the law that if you murder a police officer and are convicted that you receive the Death Penalty. I don’t know what that law was taken away.

Agnes S.
Niece.

October 15, 2023