Roll of Honor
William T. Cramer
Incident
Game Protector William Cramer was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated gunfire in the Idlewild Woods near present-day JFK Airport. The two officers had just arrested a man for illegally hunting songbirds when they heard another gunshot nearby. When they went to investigate the gunshot, the original suspect shouted warnings to the other man in Italian. The second poacher immediately opened fire. Game Protector Cramer was struck in the face with a shotgun blast and killed instantly. His partner was severely beaten by the men but survived. The subject who murdered Game Protector Cramer was arrested, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 20 years to life in Sing Sing Prison. Seven years earlier, Game Protector Cramer was shot and wounded three times after being beaten by two suspects. His wounds at that time were considered life-threatening, but he made a full recovery and returned to duty. Game Protector Cramer had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for 12 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-C3CCE79D- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector Cramer gave the New York State Environmental Conservation Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Cramer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Protector William T. Cramer 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%.
At New York State Environmental Conservation Police, 4 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Cramer's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Cramer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Cramer is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Cramer was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from New York State Environmental Conservation Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
