Thomas C. Acton
Date of Birth : Feb 23, 1823
Date of Death : May 1, 1898
Birth Place : New York City
Thomas Coxon Acton was an American public servant, politician, reformer, police commissioner of the New York City Police Department and the first appointed president of its Board of Police Commissioners. He and Commissioner John G. Bergen took control of the police force during the New York Draft Riots with Action directing police and military forced against rioters in Manhattan.
A noted political and social activist, he also held several important government positions throughout his career including superintendent of the New York Assay Office, Assistant U.S. Treasurer and, most notably, the founder and president of the Bank of New Amsterdam. It was also largely due to his efforts that the modern New York City Fire Department was established replacing the outdated colonial-era volunteer firefighter system.