Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Egan,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 1, 2023

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

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

September 1, 2020

Officer Egan:
Thanks for your service to the great city of New York and for your outstanding service during WWI as part of the famous 69th Regiment. I'm sure you would have been proud of your family, including your grandson who served with honor with NYPD. Rest easy brother--you honor our profession and this great nation.

Jim Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff (Reno, Nv) & NVDPS

September 1, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

September 1, 2017

If Sgt. John A. Egan can be contacted, I would be interested in reaching him. His grandmother would have been Mary (Devitt) Mccue, born 1865 and died 1907. She was the mother of Vera (Mccue) Egan and also Mrs. Madge Hermann. Mrs. Mccue and my gr-grandfather were siblings, part of a large family from Yonkers. I have spent many years tracing the extended Devitt family tree.

Best wishes,

Joe O'Hare
Washington, DC area

None
genealogy

January 9, 2017

John Edward Egan was the son of an Irish immigrant family residing in The Bronx, New York. After obtaining special permission from his parents, young John Edward served with The Fighting 69th, the famed Irish brigade of Father Duffy, part of the Rainbow Division in France during the First World War. There he became skilled in riding a horse. He was wounded by mustard gas during an assault.

After the war, John was appointed to the NYPD and quickly assigned to Mounted Patrol in the 51st Precinct. Patrolman Egan and his mount, Lark, gained notoriety for their heroic exploits on Westchester Avenue, chasing a runaway horse and wagon. Despite being struck by an automobile, he and Lark resumed the chase; a civilian tossed Egan a rope, which he quickly fashioned into a lasso, catching up with the wagon and bringing the animal under control. The feat was covered in the front pages of all New York newspapers, including the New York Times. Patrolman Egan was awarded a commendation and advanced to plainclothes duty. He was murdered in the Line of Duty shortly thereafter; at his funeral, Lark followed his flag-draped casket, boots reversed in the stirrups. John Egan was twenty-four years old. A year after his death, Patrolman Egan was awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor, the highest honor bestowed by that department.

John Edward Egan was survived by his wife, Vera and twin sons, John and William. Young Vera died of a ruptured appendix a few years later; the boys grew up orphans. John Jr. was infected with a childhood disease and struggled with disabilities for the remainder of his life. Twenty years later, William joined the Army Air Corps., flying 28 combat missions during World War II, surviving a gunshot wound by a Japanese sniper. Sixty years after Patrolman Egan died, the youngest son of William, John Anthony Egan, was appointed to the NYPD and assigned the same shield in the above photograph.

I wore that shield honorably until my promotion to Sergeant seven years later. I am retired now, disabled from wounds received as a First Responder during the attack on the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. During my career, I tried to live up to the legacy of the men who preceded me.

Indeed, freedom comes dearly. Rest in peace, Grandfather.
— John A. Egan, Sergeant, NYPD (ret.)

Det. Sergeant John A. Egan, M.A. (ret.)
NYPD

July 27, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 90th anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

August 13, 2013

I said a little prayer today for Patrolman Egan and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

September 1, 2009

Rest in peace brother. You will be missed but never forgotten...
You will always be a part of the NYPD!!

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

September 1, 2009

John,

You are remembered for your valiant service and sacrifice. Thank you HERO !!!!

Anonymous

April 10, 2009

John Egan is my grandfather. While I never met him in person, I know he watches over me and keeps me and my brother Chief Michael D. Paqueette safe.

Sgt. Kevin T. Paquette
Fruita P.D.