New York City Department of Correction | End of Watch: November 3, 1926
100 Years of Remembrance: A Sacrifice That Helped Shape Correctional History
On November 3, 1926, Warden Peter A. Mallon of the New York City Department of Correction made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a violent escape attempt at Manhattan’s infamous Tombs Jail. One hundred years later, his courage and dedication remain part of a legacy that helped shape the safety and training of correctional professionals for generations to come.
Warden Mallon, 56, was an experienced correctional leader who had served as Warden of New York City’s district prisons before assuming leadership of the Tombs in June 1925. Known for his dedication to duty, he was responsible for overseeing one of the city’s most challenging correctional facilities during an era of overcrowding, limited staffing, and growing security concerns.
On the afternoon of November 3, three incarcerated men armed with smuggled pistols attempted to escape the facility. After feigning illness to obtain medical attention, the men drew their weapons and made their way toward the jail’s main entrance.
Hearing the commotion, Warden Mallon immediately responded. As he confronted the armed prisoners, he was struck by gunfire and critically wounded.
The escape attempt continued into the prison courtyard, where Keeper Jeremiah Murphy and Keeper Daniel O’Connor encountered the armed men. O’Connor was wounded, and Murphy was fatally shot while providing cover for his fallen colleague.
The confrontation escalated into a gun battle involving correctional personnel and responding New York City police officers. After approximately 30 minutes, the escape attempt ended with the deaths of all three prisoners.
Although gravely wounded, Warden Mallon remained concerned about the safety of the institution and the outcome of the attempted escape. Before his death, he expressed relief to Correction Commissioner Frederick A. Wallis that none of the prisoners had escaped.
Despite efforts to save his life, Warden Mallon succumbed to his injuries that evening.
His death, alongside that of Keeper Murphy, marked one of the darkest days in the history of the New York City Department of Correction.
In the aftermath, investigations revealed serious concerns regarding staffing, security procedures, and the training available to correctional personnel. The tragedy became a catalyst for meaningful changes, including strengthened security measures and the establishment of a formal training school for prison keepers in 1928, a predecessor of today’s Correction Academy.
Warden Mallon’s sacrifice was recognized throughout New York City. Hundreds attended his funeral, and in 1927, he and Keeper Murphy were posthumously awarded gold medals honoring their courage and service.
Today, a century later, Warden Peter A. Mallon’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers correctional professionals have faced throughout history and the responsibility we share to remember those who never returned home.
His courage was demonstrated not only in the final moments of his life, but through years of dedicated service to the people of New York City. His legacy lives on through the correctional professionals who continue to serve, protect, and carry forward the lessons learned from that tragic day.
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation proudly remembers Warden Peter A. Mallon, Keeper Jeremiah Murphy, and all correctional professionals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Warden Peter A. Mallon
New York City Department of Correction
End of Watch: November 3, 1926
Gone, but never forgotten. We honor their service, remember their sacrifice, and remain committed to Taking Care of Our Own.