New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, February 16, 1923
Age:
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: 423
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 1, 1922
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Sergeant John Donohue was shot and killed by an emotionally disturbed man.
Detective Donohue heard several shots in front of West 135th Street near 5th Avenue, Manhattan. Detective Donohue and two other policemen went to investigate. They observed a probationary patrolman firing shots into a crowd of people. Detective Donohue leaped to seize the suspect's gun, and the suspect shouted: “I’m a Policeman” and fired again. Detective Donohue was struck with one of the shots. The two other policemen then exchanged shots with the suspect. The suspect was hit six times and died two days later.
Detective Donohue was taken to the hospital where he remained for some time. He was released back to his home but died from his wound four months later.
Detective Donohue had served with the New York City Police Department for 18 years and assigned to the 3rd Detective District of the Detective Division. He was survived by his wife and seven children.