Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Francis Keyes was wounded when he stopped two young men on a motorcycle who went through a red light. The 17-year-old driver gave a fictitious name and could produce neither his driver's license nor registration for the motorcycle. Another officer stayed with the motorcycle and sent Officer Keyes, with the two men, to the 5th Precinct located on Central Avenue near North Lake Avenue. At Central Avenue and Quail, one suspect stuck a .32-cal pistol in Officer Keyes' ribs and ordered the officer to drive past the patrol car and told his accomplice to take the officer's gun. The second suspect, however, fled. Officer Keyes then exited the car and struggled with the first suspect. The suspect shot Officer Keyes in the right chest and fled. Officer Keyes returned fire, emptying his revolver at the fleeing suspect, but missed. Officer Keyes then collapsed on the hood of a passing motorist who witnessed the incident. The witness drove Officer Keyes to the hospital where the officer died 8 days later from pneumonia, a resulting complication of the shooting. One was subsequently arrested as he stepped off a train in Plattsburgh, New York and charged with murder. The co-defendant, a 13 year old, was later arrested and charged with Juvenile Delinquency. The 17-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life.
Survivors
Officer Keyes had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-CD24A7B4- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Keyes gave the Albany Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Keyes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Francis V. Keyes 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 Albany Police Department, 6 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis V. Keyes's cause is highlighted.
How Francis V. Keyes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis V. Keyes is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis V. Keyes was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
