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July 18, 2003
For Immediate Release |
Contact: Albert O'Leary
212-298-9190
or Joseph Mancini
212-298-9150
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A Forgotten Fallen Police Officer
Is Finally Remembered After 140 Years
MONROE, NY--Tomorrow will be the 140th anniversary of the death
of New York City Patrolman Edward Dippel, whose tombstone is in this Orange County
town. Patrolman Dippel was shot in the line of duty, the victim of friendly fire
by soldiers during the infamous Civil War draft riots depicted most recently in
last year's Oscar nominated movie, "The Gangs of New York."
Patrolman Dippel was shot on July 15, 1863, and died four days later on July
19. His supreme sacrifice along with that of three other New York City cops killed
that day has never been recognized before. Patrolman Dippel's name and the names
of the other officers appear on none of the memorial walls in New York, Albany
or Washington, D.C., honoring police officers killed in the line of duty.
At 11 a.m. today (July 18, 2003), that wrong was righted. New York City PBA
President Patrick J. Lynch and NYPD Sgt. Tom Carton whose efforts brought the
officers' situation to light led a graveside ceremony at the Monroe Community
Cemetery giving Edward Dippel and the other officers the recognition they deserve.
State lawmakers, local officials and members of local police departments were
expected to attend.
Dippel was 26 years old, with a wife and child, when he gave his life trying
to disperse a crowd attacking the home of a known advocate of the abolition of
slavery.
Carton, who lives in Monroe, discovered this injustice four years ago after
seeing a photo of Patrolman Dippel's tombstone at the Monroe Town Hall and researching
the details of his death. Carton and Monroe Township historian James Nelson brought
the inequity to the NYPD's attention recently and a belated official recognition
of their sacrifice may soon be a reality.
“Edward Dippel and the other patrolmen – Peter McIntyre, John
T. Van Buren and John Stackey – were killed serving and protecting New York
City citizens in the draft riots of 1863,” said PBA President Lynch. “Now,
thanks to the efforts of Sgt. Carton and others, their names should ultimately
take their rightful place on all memorials honoring police officers.”
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