Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman John Harold Wilson was my uncle. He was killed in the line of duty the year before I was born. I will soon be 85 and remember the scrapbook that my mother had with a collection of newspaper articles and the many stories of the the murder and trial of the two criminals that were caught. My mother always said that there was another one, but he was never caught. My uncle was on duty in lower Manhattan when a woman leaned out a window yelling to him that there was a robbery occurring in the building. It was a gold smelting company where they melted down gold. There was hot wax used during the process. Patrolman Wilson went into the building, went up the stairs and entered the door to the company and was attacked and shot at, When it was over he had been shot nine times and dipped in the tub of hot wax. He died in the hospital a week later. His murderers were caught by leaving their fingerprints in the wax. They were convicted of murder and sentenced to Death in the Electric Chair. They received their just desserts at Sing Sing Prison. They should bring back the law that if you murder a police officer and are convicted that you receive the Death Penalty. I don’t know what that law was taken away.

Agnes S.
Niece.

October 15, 2023

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 23, 2020

Never Forget Courage

PO Matthew T Donnelly retd
NYPD

September 26, 2017

Ptl. Wilson your sacrifice is never forgotten. Maryanne, keep the memory of your grandfather alive, stay safe out there!

Lieutenant Thomas Barnes
NYPD

October 9, 2015

Patrolman Wilson was my Grandfather and I grew up listening to stories of his heroism from my grandmother and father (age 3 years at the time of his fathers death). I have recently been showing my 6 year old the scrapbook of the newspaper articles from the murder and the trial/execution of the assailants that was compiled by my Great Aunt back in 1937. I want to make sure that the memory of Patrolman John HA (Harold) Wilson will carry into the next generations of our family. My Grandfather - and his father George Wilson - a member of the Richmond County Dragoons (the precursor to the NYPD in Staten Island) also inspired me take up my own career in law enforcement - which is now 22 years and going strong. Even though I did not have the honor to know my Grandfather - I am writing this in loving memory of a brave and inspirational law enforcement officer - rest assured that your memory is not forgotten.

Special Agent Maryanne Wilson
US Treasury Dept. - IRS-CI

November 9, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 75th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. You will always be remembered and revered.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 23, 2012

I am a grand nephew of Patrolman Wilson and was born and brought up on Staten Island and visited his grave site many times in Moravian Cemetary. His stories have been passed down in generations, most recently from my uncle, Edward Wilson. Patrolman Wilson came from a long line of Wilson's that served in the NYC Police and Fire Departments.

Bruce Wilson

July 4, 2008

Patrolman Wilson,
On today, the 70th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. It took another 2 years, but your murderers finally got the justice that they deserved.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

September 23, 2007

This officer's family in all probability doesn't know of this ODMP site since it is only about eleven years old, and this tragedy took place so many years before.

That doesn't mean that their loss and an offer of very belated condolences should go unrecorded...so to the family of Patrolman Wilson, I acknowledge your loved ones bravery and willingness to put his life on the line in the service of protecting others and upholding the law.

Your loved one was a hero, he will not be forgotten and you have my sympathy for your loss all those years ago. It is never easy, then or now, to go through life without a husband and father who was taken much too young, and in such a tragic way.

May God's perpetual light continue to shine upon the soul of Patrolman John H. A. Wilson and may he rest in His eternal peace for having made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting and serving his community.

I am a fellow New Yorker who grew up not too far from where he was lost...God's blessings on his extended family.

Sincerely,

To the family of Patrolman John H. A. Wilson

Your loved one was a hero and for that this family should know that others recognize his bravery and the sacrifice he was willing to make it protecting and serving as an officer of the peace.

Anita L. Culosi
sister of NYS Tpr. Salvatore J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

July 7, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
Tennessee

February 12, 2006

Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Eric Thoresen
Marion County Sheriffs Office

October 20, 2004