Police Officer John W. Lyons, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

Police Officer John W. Lyons

Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Friday, May 13, 1910

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John W. Lyons

Police Officer John Lyons died after contracting smallpox while assigned to quarantine duty at the Bridesburg Police Station at Third Avenue and Fairmount Avenue.

Officers from his station were assigned to quarantine duty to prevent infected passengers from disembarking from a steamer that arrived in the city. Officer Lyons contracted the disease and was admitted to the Municipal Hospital on May 1st, 1910. He died as a result of smallpox on May 13th, 1910.

Officer Lyons served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 16 months and was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and siblings.

Bio

Age 31
Tour 1 year, 4 months
Badge 2475

Incident Details

Cause Duty related illness
Incident Date Sunday, May 1, 1910

communicable disease, smallpox

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Officer Lyons,
On today, the 115th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Philadelphia.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

May 13, 2025