Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Joseph Wachowiak succumbed to head injuries after being struck on the head during a jail escape involving five inmates at the Erie County Jail in Buffalo. At 9:00 p.m., when the inmates were being locked in their cells for the night, a prisoner grabbed a hidden mop handle, beat Deputy Wachowiak, and locked him in a jail cell. He rallied four other prisoners to escape with him. All five were captured. The 31-year-old leader was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in Dannemora Prison on November 1, 1954.
Survivors
Deputy Wachowiak was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D13E66B6- 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 Joseph. 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.
Deputy Wachowiak served with the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Wachowiak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Joseph J. Wachowiak 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 Erie County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph J. Wachowiak's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph J. Wachowiak Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph J. Wachowiak is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph J. Wachowiak was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Erie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
