Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Deputy Sheriff

David H. Whittier

Orleans County Sheriff's Department — Albion, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 8, 1989

Age 41

Badge 144

The Vigil Panel 135 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Deputy Sheriff David Whittier succumbed to injuries sustained nine months earlier when he was struck by a drunk driver. Deputy Whittier was on Gaines Basin Road north of Bacon Road in Albion, searching an abandoned truck on the side of the road at 12:30 am. A vehicle struck the truck and pinned Deputy Whittier between the truck and the suspect's vehicle. The drunk driver was sentenced to 6 months in jail and five years probation. Deputy Whittier had served with the Orleans County Sheriff's Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-3F52DA46
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew David. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Whittier served with the Orleans County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Albion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Whittier.

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

Agency

Department Orleans County Sheriff's Department

Location Albion, NY

Platform Identity ocso.orleans.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 8, 1989

Age 41

Badge Number 144

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 6 months

Deputy Sheriff David H. Whittier 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%.

Orleans County Sheriff's Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David H. Whittier's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How David H. Whittier Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 6 months

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David H. Whittier is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David H. Whittier was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518