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Incident
Sergeant Vincent Spinelli suffered a fatal heart attack after being struck in the chest by a disorderly inmate at the jail dormitory located at the Cayuga County Public Safety Building on County House Road in Auburn. The inmate was upset about receiving the wrong sandwich at meal time. He assaulted Sergeant Spinelli and two other officers in the jail's dormitory before being subdued. Sergeant Spinelli collapsed and died approximately two hours later. The inmate was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of assaulting two other officers. Sergeant Spinelli was a United States Maine Corps Vietnam War veteran and served with the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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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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.
Sergeant Spinelli gave the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Auburn 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
Vincent S. Spinelli Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Cayuga County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Vincent is one of 102 officers lost to cardiac events in NY, 4.8% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Vincent is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Vincent is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 2 officers in NY were lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 57 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 6.
In 1992, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1992, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Vincent was 56. Of the 92 lost to cardiac events in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 51.5; the middle age was 45. Vincent had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Vincent was 56. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Vincent had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Vincent was 56. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Vincent had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 9.8% of these deaths in NY; January holds the most, 13.7%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 8.8% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Cayuga County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Vincent among them.
Where
Military Service
Vincent S. Spinelli Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Vincent S. Spinelli Sr.’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 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cayuga County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
