Bio & Incident Details
Age: Not available
Tour: Not available
Badge # 11360
Cause: Fire
Incident Date: 3/4/1927
Weapon: Not available
Suspect: Not available
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Patrolman Farrell was killed when he entered a burning building at 55 Spring Street in Manhattan to rescue trapped civilians.
Patrolman Farrell was walking to his post just after starting his tour of duty at the Elizabeth Street Station when he noticed black smoke coming from 55 Spring Street. Patrolman Farrell ran to the building and entered, yelling at all the tenants to evacuate. When he got to the second floor, he observed an old lady and her young grand daughter struggling to evacuate. Patrolman Farrell carried the two out of the building to safety, and then reentered the building to help evacuate the remaining residents. He rescued another woman and brought her to safety. Patrolman Farrel then climbed the fire escape of the building and carried an elderly man to safety. Noting that not everyone was out of the building, Patrolman Farrell entered the building next door, and jumped from the roof of that building to the roof of 55 Spring Street. He then pried open the roof door and entered the building, where he found an unconscious man on the top floor. Patrolman Farrell attempted to rescue that man, but was overcome by the smoke and flames and died.
Patrolman Farrell was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
Patrolman Farrell was assigned to the 3rd Precinct, the present day 5th Precinct.. He was survived by his wife and three-year-old son.
