Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John MacKechnie was killed after being beaten and strangled by a mentally unstable person in the Port Jervis City Hall. The man had been taken into custody earlier in the evening after officers received reports that he was acting strangely. The man was taken to a room in the basement of the city hall used as an evidence locker and an interview room. Patrolman MacKechnie was left alone with the suspect when the second officer was called away to assist with an investigation. A few moments later the suspect grabbed a double barreled shotgun being stored as evidence and attacked Patrolman MacKechnie, knocking him unconscious with the shotgun. The man then strangled him with his uniform necktie. After killing Patrolman MacKechnie, the man ran upstairs and yelled that he had killed the devil. The suspect was pursued back into the basement where he was taken into custody. An ambulance was called for Patrolman MacKechnie but he died before it arrived. The suspect was charged with first degree murder and was later committed to a state hospital. Patrolman MacKechnie had served with the Port Jervis Police Department for 8 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and is buried at St Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis, New York.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolman MacKechnie gave the Port Jervis Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Jervis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman MacKechnie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John L. MacKechnie 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John L. MacKechnie's cause is highlighted.
How John L. MacKechnie Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed to state hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John L. MacKechnie is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John L. MacKechnie was killed by blunt object.