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Corrections Sergeant

Edward T. Cunningham

New York State Department of Correctional Services — Albany, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch September 13, 1971

Age 52

Tour of Duty 22 yrs

Badge 5

The Vigil Panel 109 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 35

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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-A4CEDD2F
Stewardship: 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

Department New York State Department of Correctional Services

Type Corrections

Location Albany, NY

Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 13, 1971

Tour of Duty 22 yrs

Age 52

Badge Number 5

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

Edward T. Cunningham served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Corrections Sergeant Edward T. Cunningham 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 97,759 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

of 36 officers

72.2% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious