Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Mumford and Chief Thomas Reilly were shot and killed while questioning a man they had pulled over at the intersection of Route 5 and Sherrill Road following a gas station robbery. The suspect then drove to a nearby home in Munnsville and forced a woman and her two daughters, ages four and six, to drive him in their car to Syracuse. He released his hostages in downtown Syracuse. Syracuse Police arrested the suspect the next day. Both officers were transported to Oneida County Hospital where Patrolman Mumford was pronounced dead and Chief Reilly died four days later. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in February 1971. On January 7, 1974, he was re-sentenced to 50 years to life. Charges of armed robbery and kidnapping were dismissed because a judge ruled the suspect was denied his right to a speedy trial. The killer died in prison in 2008.
Survivors
Patrolman Mumford was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-3C5E4D19- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Mumford served with the Sherrill Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sherrill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mumford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert A. Mumford 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 Sherrill Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Robert A. Mumford's cause is highlighted.
How Robert A. Mumford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert A. Mumford is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert A. Mumford was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sherrill Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
