Incident
Turnkey Patrick Fogarty died after being beaten by three inmates who were escaping from the county jail.
He was transported to a local hospital where he suffered a fatal heart attack, which doctors said was a direct result of being beaten about the head with the handle of a screwdriver.
All three inmates, 18, 20, and 23, were apprehended and charged in connection with the escape and Turnkey Fogarty's death. All three pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter. Two were sentenced to 15 to 30 years each. In 1968, one's sentence was commuted to 5 to 10 years. The third inmate was sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
Turnkey Fogarty had served with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-27E0E158- Stewardship
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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.
Turnkey Fogarty gave the Lewis County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lowville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Fogarty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Turnkey Patrick J. Fogarty 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. Patrick J. Fogarty's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick J. Fogarty Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick J. Fogarty is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick J. Fogarty was killed by edged weapon; screwdriver.