John J. Finnell

Elmira Police Department — Elmira, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 23, 1915

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 29 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Chief John Finnell and Detective Sergeant Charles Gradwell were shot and killed while attempting to question two burglary suspects in a rooming house on Baldwin Street. The two men they went to question were suspected in a string of recent burglaries. Both officers were shot in the room where the men were staying. Both suspects fled the scene. One was apprehended a short time later but the other was identified but never apprehended. The suspect was convicted of murder in the second degree of Sergeant Gradwell and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was paroled in 1930 and sent back to Chemung County to face a 1915 burglary charge. He was convicted of burglary, sent back to prison, and released in 1935.

Survivors

Chief Finnell was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-A23DFBEC
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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.
Chief of Police Finnell served with the Elmira Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elmira community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Finnell.

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

Agency

Department Elmira Police Department

Location Elmira, NY

Platform Identity epd.chemung.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 23, 1915

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender One apprehended

Chief of Police John J. Finnell 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 Elmira Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Elmira Police Department

of 5 officers

40% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious