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Incident
Forest Ranger Raymond Murray was killed in an airplane crash while taking off from the Pleasant Valley Airfield near Hammondsport, New York. He was conducting an aerial patrol to detect forest fires and violators of state fire laws. Ranger Murray's flight was the inaugural flight launching a new forest fire detection system from the air by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation. The plane crashed into a house on the Bath-Hammandsport Road approximately a quarter mile past the end of the runway. It is believed the crash was caused by a strong downdraft. Another forest ranger and the pilot suffered severe injuries in the crash. Ranger Murray was a veteran of WWII. He had served with the New York State Forest Rangers for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Forest Ranger Murray gave the New York State Forest Rangers 20 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
Raymond L. Murray served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Raymond is the only officer of New York State Forest Rangers remembered here.
Raymond is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 11 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Raymond was 46. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Raymond had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Raymond was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Raymond had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Raymond had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.3% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at New York State Forest Rangers.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Raymond L. Murray served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Raymond L. Murray’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 9-W
New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial · Panel 21 Top
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from New York State Forest Rangers are honored on badge.nw.