Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Paul Luther was shot and killed while on patrol near a restaurant. A sniper opened fire on the establishment, fatally wounding Patrolman Luther, who had given him a speeding ticket two hours earlier. He also killed a man, 51, as he sat in the crowded restaurant, and wounded 9 other people. During the siege, he fired over 300 rounds and only quit after a fire started in his apartment. During the siege he shot and seriously another policeman. Had used eight different rifles. The sniper, 32, pleaded guilty in June 1977 to two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. He was convicted of eight counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 8 to 25 years on each count. He was convicted of three counts of first degree assault and sentenced to 15 years. The killer was denied parole for a sixth time in June, 2013, and a seventh time in 2019. He was still in prison on July 15, 2022. The incident drew national attention at time when our country was less accustomed to mass shootings. At his 2019 parole hearing he said the speeding ticket was not the reason for his rampage. He said he new he shot a patrolman but did know he was Patrolman Luther. He said six months earlier he went to the police about issues with his family. He said the police left him frustrated. He said that, alcoholism, and flashbacks of Vietnam was the motive for his rage. Patrolman Luther was also the president of the local fire company. He was survived by his parents. The same day Patrolman Luther lost his life, he had taken the exam that would allow him to be a full time patrolman.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-B14D66AF- 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.
Auxiliary Policeman Luther served with the Mechanicville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mechanicville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Policeman Luther.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Auxiliary Policeman Paul N. Luther 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. Paul N. Luther's cause is highlighted.
How Paul N. Luther Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul N. Luther is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul N. Luther was killed by rifle.