Roll of Honor
Incident
Keeper McGovern was killed during an escape attempt at the 7th District Prison attached to the old Police/Magistrates Court on West 54th Street in Manhattan. The suspects had cut themselves free from their cell with a saw that one of the suspect's girlfriends smuggled into the jail inside a sweet potato pie.
After getting free the suspects struck Keeper McGovern over the head with the cut away piece of bar, killing him. The suspects then climbed down a makeshift rope. The first inmate made it down the rope but the the rope broke as the second man climbed down and he fell to his death.
The prisoner who escaped was later captured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death for Keeper McGovern's murder and executed at Sing Sing Prison on June 8, 1903.
Keeper McGovern had been with the agency for 20 years.
Keeper McGovern was killed during an escape attempt at the 7th District Prison attached to the old Police/Magistrates Court on West 54th Street in Manhattan. The suspects had cut themselves free from their cell with a saw that one of the suspect's girlfriends smuggled into the jail inside a sweet potato pie.
After getting free the suspects struck Keeper McGovern over the head with the cut away piece of bar, killing him. The suspects then climbed down a makeshift rope. The first inmate made it down the rope but the the rope broke as the second man climbed down and he fell to his death.
Rest in peace Keeper McGovern.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis August 27th, 2019
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-6ADD80C0- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Keeper McGovern gave the New York City Department of Correction 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Keeper McGovern.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Keeper Hugh McGovern 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 New York City Department of Correction, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh McGovern's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh McGovern Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh McGovern is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh McGovern was killed by blunt object; pipe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New York City Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
