John H. F. Cordes (August 9, 1890 – April 19, 1966) was a detective in the New York Police Department, once described by New York mayor Jimmy Walker as "the city's best cop".[1] He is the only detective to have been awarded the department's Medal of Honor twice.

John Cordes
Born
John H. F. Cordes

(1890-08-09)August 9, 1890
DiedApril 19, 1966(1966-04-19) (aged 75)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationDetective
AwardsNew York City Police Department Medal of Honor (×2)

Cordes was first awarded the medal in 1923 after coming across a Manhattan cigar store robbery in progress. As a result of his involvement, Cordes suffered five gunshot wounds, three of which came from another policeman for unknown reasons.[1]

His second Medal of Honor was awarded in 1927 for his work in solving the kidnapping of real estate tycoon Abraham Scharlin.[2]

Cordes retired in 1949.[citation needed] Part of his career is described in the book "NYPD: Stories of Survival from the World's Toughest Beat".[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b KRAJICEK, DAVID J. "NYPD detective forces murder confession, but state Supreme Court sets aside Joseph Barbato's conviction and puts an end to police use of third-degree beatings - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  2. ^ Whalen, Bernard; Whalen, Jon (January 15, 2015). The NYPD's First Fifty Years: Politicians, Police Commissioners, and Patrolmen. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 139. ISBN 9781612346564.

Further reading

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