Harold V. Shaw
Agency patch
Patrolman

Harold V. Shaw

Rochester Police Department — Rochester, NY
Felonious
End of Watch December 11, 1959
Age 37
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 95 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Harold Shaw was shot and killed by burglary suspects after the building they were burglarizing was surrounded. He discovered a burglary in progress at the Rae Oil Company at 10 Ambrose Street and radioed for backup. Once backup officers arrived a perimeter was established with an officer at all windows and doors. Gunfire erupted at the window where Patrolman Shaw was standing and he was struck once in the arm and once in the chest. He returned fire before he succumbed to his wounds at the scene. The two perpetrators fled through that window and were later captured. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in Attica State Prison on June 29th, 1960. One subject was released from prison on December 24th, 1979. The other was released on November 15th, 1984.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-1FAC9C09
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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.
Patrolman Shaw gave the Rochester Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Shaw.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Rochester, Monroe County, NY
Platform Identity rpd.monroe.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 11, 1959
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Harold V. Shaw 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 Rochester Police Department, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.

Rochester Police Department
9
of 17 officers
52.9% 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. Harold V. Shaw's cause is highlighted.

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

How Harold V. Shaw Compares

Age at Death
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold V. Shaw is highlighted in Dec.

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. Harold V. Shaw was killed by gun.

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

Incident Location