Bartholomew B. Purdy

New York City Department of Correction — East Elmhurst, NY

Cardiac Veteran

End of Watch March 29, 1875

Age 62

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 5 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Deputy Keeper Bartholomew Purdy suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a fire that had intentionally been set by a female inmate inside her cell at the Harlem 5th District Prison.

The inmate had previously attempted to commit suicide by hanging and had been placed inside a secure cell as a result. She was somehow able to light a fire, which engulfed her cell and her clothing. As Keeper Purdy attempted to open the door he collapsed.

Another inmate used Keeper Purdy's keys to let himself out of the jail and he ran to the nearby police station to alert authorities.

Deputy Keeper Purdy was a U.S. Army veteran of the Civil War and had served as a deputy keeper at the prison for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and eight children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-2439BE6E
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Deputy Keeper Purdy gave the New York City Department of Correction 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department New York City Department of Correction

Location East Elmhurst, NY

Platform Identity nydc.queens.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 29, 1875

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 62

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Weapon Arson

Military Service

Bartholomew B. Purdy served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Keeper Bartholomew B. Purdy is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 99 of 2,147 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.6% of this state's fallen. That is 0.6 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

At New York City Department of Correction, 1 of 10 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 10% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Department of Correction

of 10 officers

10% Cardiac

NY — Statewide

of 2,147 officers

4.6% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac