Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Fitzgerald was shot and killed as he and another deputy transported three prisoners from the Auburn Correctional Facility to the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains for court appearances. The three inmates were handcuffed in the rear of a sedan that had no cage. One of the inmates feigned that he had to urinate and, as they pulled off of the New York State Thruway at the Modena-Plattekill rest area, two of the inmates reached over seats with their handcuffed hands and grabbed both deputies around their necks. The third inmate reached over the seats, grabbed Deputy Fitzgerald's service revolver, and fatally shot him. The other deputy shot and killed one of the inmates and wounded the inmate who shot Deputy Fitzgerald. The prisoner who killed Deputy Fitzgerald was sentenced to death but had the sentenced reduced to life in 1972 when the death sentence was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. He died in prison on November 19th, 2001. The other inmate was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on September 6th, 2007.
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BO-US-NY-09A4DA6A- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Fitzgerald served with the Westchester County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hawthorne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fitzgerald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Fitzgerald 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 Westchester County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. William Fitzgerald's cause is highlighted.
How William Fitzgerald Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Fitzgerald is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Fitzgerald was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Westchester County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
