William E. Quinn

New York State Department of Correctional Services — Albany, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 11, 1971

Age 28

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 109 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 35

Incident

Correctional Officer William Quinn died from injuries sustained in a prison riot at the Attica Prison. Six other correctional officers were also killed during the riot. The leader of the riot was never charged with any crime. After his release from prison, he shot and killed Police Officer Norman R. Cerullo and Police Officer Christie D. Masone of the New York City Police Department on April 2, 1978, on a Brooklyn Street. Officer Quinn had served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services for two years. was survived by his wife, two young daughters, his parents, and a sister. His father had served at the prison for 23 years.

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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.
Correctional Officer Quinn gave the New York State Department of Correctional Services 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Quinn.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York State Department of Correctional Services

Location Albany, NY

Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 11, 1971

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Not available

Offender Never charged

Correctional Officer William E. Quinn 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 Department of Correctional Services, 26 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.2% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Department of Correctional Services

of 36 officers

72.2% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious