Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Leo Garrahan succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one month earlier while transporting a prisoner to jail in the sidecar of his motorcycle. The prisoner grabbed Patrolman Garrahan's service revolver from its holster and shot him several times. The suspect was arrested four days after the incident. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life. He was denied a new trial on December 4, 1958. He was still in prison in 1963. Patrolman Garrahan had served with the Watervliet Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-05DBBD55- 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.
Patrolman Garrahan gave the Watervliet Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Watervliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Garrahan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Leo J. Garrahan 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 Watervliet 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. Leo J. Garrahan's cause is highlighted.
How Leo J. Garrahan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 60 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leo J. Garrahan is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leo J. Garrahan was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Watervliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
