Edward T. Cunningham
Incident
Corrections Sergeant Edward Cunningham died from injuries sustained in a prison riot at Attica Prison. Six other correctional officers were also killed during the riot. The leader of the riot was never charged with any crime. After his release from prison, he shot and killed Police Officer Norman R. Cerullo and Police Officer Christie D. Masone of the New York City Police Department on April 2, 1978, on a Brooklyn Street. Sergeant Cunningham was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, having fought in the Pacific theater. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and various other medals. Sergeant Cunningham had served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and seven sons. Four of his sons and two of his grandsons followed him in this line of work.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and seven sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Edward is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corrections Sergeant Cunningham gave the New York State Department of Correctional Services 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Edward T. Cunningham served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Department of Correctional Services has lost 36 officers; 26 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 7 officers at New York State Department of Correctional Services were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 23 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 52. Of the 18 killed feloniously at New York State Department of Correctional Services whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 44.8; the middle age was 41. Edward had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Edward was 52. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Edward had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Edward was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 26.9% of these deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services, more than any other month. Mondays: 23.1%.
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Mondays: 15.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 36 deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Department of Correctional Services has 36 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Augustus T. Wright Jul 11, 1861
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Edwin A. Craft Mar 18, 1869
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Samuel Calvert Mar 17, 1872
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Harvey A. Casler Feb 8, 1877
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George McKelvey May 6, 1880
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Archibald Benedict Jan 9, 1901
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Dennis O'Brien Jan 11, 1904
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Nellie Wicks Sep 27, 1906
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Daniel J. McCarthy Jun 24, 1916
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Charles H. North Dec 12, 1917
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Charles I. Gunter Apr 17, 1919
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Jesse Christian Jul 24, 1923
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James B. Durnin Nov 17, 1927
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George A. Durnford
Dec 11, 1929
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John H. Martin Dec 15, 1929
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Edward L. Beckwith
Mar 5, 1930
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Daniel James Nickerson
Mar 25, 1934
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James H. Donovan Mar 21, 1940
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John Hartye
Apr 14, 1941
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Harold E. Bruette Jul 27, 1949
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William E. Quinn
Sep 11, 1971
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Edward T. Cunningham
Sep 13, 1971
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John D'Arcangelo, Jr.
Sep 13, 1971
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Richard J. Lewis
Sep 13, 1971
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Carl W. Valone
Sep 13, 1971
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Ronald D. Werner
Sep 13, 1971
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Harrison William Whalen
Oct 9, 1971
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Nancy Vial Aug 5, 1977
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Donna A. Payant
May 15, 1981
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Claude W. Cromie
Feb 6, 1982
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Peter Michael Petrosino
Oct 24, 1991
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James Paul Ascone
May 9, 1995
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Frank Mydlarz
Aug 1, 1999
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Raymond J. Curtis
Mar 30, 2000
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John Thomas Hart, Sr.
Sep 9, 2002
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Casimiro Maximino Pomales
Jan 28, 2011
Where
Military Service
Edward T. Cunningham served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Edward T. Cunningham’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from New York State Department of Correctional Services are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.













