Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Frey was shot and killed by a prisoner he was transporting. Sergeant Frey was transporting the suspect in the suspect’s own vehicle while another Trooper was transporting another suspect in a police vehicle. Unknown to Sergeant Frey, there was a gun hidden in the vehicle and the suspect was able to reach that gun. The suspect overtook and disarmed the other Trooper, and freed his friend from custody. Both suspects returned to where Sergeant Frey was standing by the road and killed him in an exchange of gunfire. A few days later both suspects were captured after a gunfight with police in McAlester, Oklahoma. Both suspects were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years to life Febuary 13, 1932. They were both paroled in 1952. One was sent back to prison in 1954 for burglarizing a tavern near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was paroled again in 1964, but was returned to prison a short time later for violating his parole.
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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.
Sergeant Frey served with the New York State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Frey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John E. Frey 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 Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Frey's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Frey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Frey is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Frey was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
170 officers from New York State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
