Bio & Incident Details
Age: 53
Tour: 24 years
Badge # 5253
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 4/3/1953
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Executed in 1954
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Patrolman Pendergrass was shot and killed on West 140th Street near 5th Avenue, in Harlem, while chasing a suspect wanted for robbing a liquor store. Patrolman Pendergrass was able to return fire and wound the suspect in the arm.
The suspect was taken into custody the next day and charged with murder. He was later convicted of Patrolman Pendergrass' murder and executed on July 15, 1954.
Patrolman Pendergrass was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor.
Patrolman Pendergrass had been with the agency for 24 years and was assigned to the West 135th Street Station (32nd Precinct). He was survived by his mother and sister.
