James Upton

Rochester Police Department — Rochester, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 19, 1919

Age 30

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 36 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 16

Incident

Patrolman James Upton was shot and killed by one of three men he surprised while they attempted to set fire to a grocery store at 223 Plymouth Avenue shortly before 2:00 a.m. Two suspects were apprehended and the killer was apprehended several weeks later. The 35-year-old killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1922 the New York Supreme Court ordered a new trial. He was then convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was released in 1941.

Survivors

Patrolman Upton was survived by his wife, mother, and several sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-32129855
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 Upton gave the Rochester Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Upton.

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

Agency

Department Rochester Police Department

Location Rochester, NY

Platform Identity rpd.monroe.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 19, 1919

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Released in 1941

Patrolman James Upton 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 Rochester Police Department, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.

Rochester Police Department

of 17 officers

52.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious