Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Torrence was beaten and strangled to death with a rope by two prisoners in the Essex County Jail during an escape attempt. The prisoners had lured Deputy Torrence, the lone jailer on duty, into the cell after the lights had been turned off for the night and then beat him and garroted him. Deputy Torrence's body was found with the rope tied around his neck by the Sheriff when Deputy Torrence's wife was unable to contact him. The two prisoners escaped from the jail. One suspect was captured the next day in Keene Valley near Elizabethtown. The other suspect was taken into custody a few days later. Both suspects, ages 21 and 32, were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years to life.
Survivors
Deputy Torrence was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-266C0C1D- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Torrence served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Torrence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Earl Anson Torrence 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 Essex County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Anson Torrence's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Anson Torrence Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 50 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Anson Torrence is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Anson Torrence was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Essex County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
