Archibald Benedict
Agency patch
Prison Guard

Archibald Benedict

Felonious
End of Watch January 9, 1901
The Vigil Panel 16 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Prison Guard Archibald Benedict was shot and killed by a prisoner at the Auburn State Prison.

The suspect attacked Guard Benedict because the guard reported him for talking in the prison cloth mill, where Guard Benedict supervised 17 inmates. The suspect hit Guard Benedict over the head, then wrestled his service weapons from him. The suspect then shot and killed Guard Benedict.

The suspect was convicted of murder and executed on September 14th, 1903.

The suspect attacked Guard Benedict because the guard reported him for talking in the prison cloth mill, where Guard Benedict supervised 17 inmates. The suspect hit Guard Benedict over the head, then wrestled his service weapons from him. The suspect then shot and killed Guard Benedict.

Archibald, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New York. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P. USBP

Anonymous United States Border Patrol January 9th, 2021

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-0C9CD331
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Archibald. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prison Guard Benedict served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prison Guard Benedict.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Corrections
Location Albany, NY
Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 9, 1901
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Prison Guard Archibald Benedict is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York State Department of Correctional Services, 26 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.2% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Department of Correctional Services
26
of 36 officers
72.2% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Archibald Benedict's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Archibald Benedict Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Archibald Benedict is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Archibald Benedict was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location