Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden Tinker fatally stabbed by an inmate at the Maine State Prison. The convict, who was serving a five year sentence for assault, approached Warden Tinker from behind and without any known cause, stabbed him and severed his carotid artery. Warden Tinker died a few moments later from the wound.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody. He was indicted for murder and plead guilty. He was sentenced to death and executed on June 24th, 1864.
Warden Tinker had been the Warden of the Maine State Prison for two years. He had also previously served as the sheriff of Hancock County and as a senator in the Maine State Senate.
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-160A82E2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden Tinker gave the Maine Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden Richard Tinker 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Maine Department of Corrections, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Tinker's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Tinker Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed on June 24th, 1864
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Tinker is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Tinker was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Maine Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
