James B. Durnin
Agency patch
Principal Keeper

James B. Durnin

Felonious
End of Watch November 17, 1927
The Vigil Panel 54 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Principal Keeper James Durnin was stabbed by an inmate with a shank as he stood guard outside the prison mess hall at the Auburn State Prison.

The suspect was convicted of Keeper Durnin's murder and executed on August 9th, 1928.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D2AC3DA2
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Principal Keeper Durnin 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.
Rest easy, Principal Keeper Durnin.

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

Agency

Type Corrections
Location Albany, NY
Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 17, 1927
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon

Principal Keeper James B. Durnin 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 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
26
of 36 officers
72.2% 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. James B. Durnin's cause is highlighted.

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

How James B. Durnin Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. Durnin is highlighted in Nov.

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. James B. Durnin was killed by edged weapon.

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

Incident Location