James H. Donovan

New York State Department of Correctional Services — Albany, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 21, 1940

Age 44

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

The Vigil Panel 76 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 35

Incident

Kitchen Keeper James Donovan was killed when he was struck on the head by an inmate using an eight-pound iron handle from a machine at Auburn State Prison. The inmate, 27, who was serving 5 to 15 years for robbery, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to additional 30 years to life. He said he killed Keeper Donovan because he caused him to loose his job in the prison kitchen. He was denied a request for a new trial in 1963.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-10691082
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Kitchen Keeper Donovan gave the New York State Department of Correctional Services 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Kitchen Keeper Donovan.

— 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 March 21, 1940

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object

Offender Sentenced to 30 years to life

Kitchen Keeper James H. Donovan 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