Patrolman Robert J. Fitzgerald

Robert J. Fitzgerald

Patrolman Robert Fitzgerald was struck and killed by a trolly car in the Brooklyn Bridge.

Patrolman Fitzgerald was on the Brooklyn Bridge when he was informed by a passerby that a man was running back and forth on the tracks, and that the man was attempting to commit suicide.

Patrolman Fitzgerald spotted the suspect some distance from him near the Manhattan Anchorage tower. The man was climbing down one of the ladders that lead from the walkway to the tracks that were used by the elevated trains. Patrolman Fitzgerald followed the man. The man reached the elevated tracks and darted out on to the roadway alongside the tracks, squeezing through the ironwork that separated the area from the trolley tracks and the bridge roadway.

Patrolman Fitzgerald saw the man start toward the guard rail at the side of the roadway, and he sprang down the ladder and tried to squeeze through the ironwork on the road. Patrolman Fitzgerald never saw the approaching trolley car, and the motorman did not see the Patrolman until it was too late to do anything. The front of the trolley car hit Patrolman Fitzgerald, forcing him back. He dropped through the trestle and down into the East River below.

Responding officers were able to subdue the suicidal man and take him into custody. The Harbor Patrol immediately started a search for Patrolman Fitzgerald but was unsuccessful. His body was recovered on March 18, 1908.

Patrolman Fitzgerald was assigned to the Bridge Precinct.