George McKelvey

New York State Department of Correctional Services — Albany, NY

Felonious

End of Watch May 6, 1880

Age 35

The Vigil Panel 6 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 35

Incident

Principal Keeper George McKelvey was stabbed and killed by an inmate at the Elmira Reformatory.

Keeper McKelvey entered the cell of an inmate to remove for disciplinary action. As he handcuffed the suspect, the suspect stabbed Keeper McKelvey in the heart with a knife.

Principal Keeper McKelvey, On today, the 145th 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.

BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) May 6th, 2025

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Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Principal Keeper McKelvey 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.

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

Agency

Department New York State Department of Correctional Services

Location Albany, NY

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

Service Record

End of Watch May 6, 1880

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Principal Keeper George McKelvey is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

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

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious