New York Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 7, 1897
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Animal related
Date of Incident: December 7, 1897
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman McDonnell died after being kicked in the head by his police horse.
Patrolman McDonnell was riding in a horse-drawn patrol wagon on Seventy-Second Street and East Drive in Central Park, Manhattan when the horse first began to kick and then tipped over the patrol wagon. Patrolman McDonnell was thrown to the ground near the horse and kicked in the head. The force of the kick fractured Patrolman McDonnell's skull, killing him.
Patrolman McDonnell had served with the New York Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the Elizabeth Street Station. He was survived by his wife and five children.