William J. McConnell

New York City Department of Correction — East Elmhurst, NY

Felonious

End of Watch November 26, 1932

Age 28

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Deputy Warden McConnell was shot and killed as a prisoner attempted to escape from the Brooklyn City Prison (Raymond Street Jail).

The suspect's wife smuggled a .32-caliber revolver into the jail during a visit. After the visit, a Jail Keeper was escorting the suspect back to his cell when the suspect drew the gun and ordered the Keeper to turn over the keys. The Keeper told the suspect that he did not have the keys and that Deputy Warden McConnell had them. The suspect raced toward Deputy McConnell, demanding the keys. Deputy McConnell drew his firearm, but before he could fire, he was shot twice by the suspect. As he fell, Deputy McConnell was able to return fire, but he missed the suspect.

The suspect then fled with his wife in an attempt to escape. He exchanged several shots with the pursuing Keeper and wounded the Prison Warden and his son before becoming trapped at the end of a corridor. With no exit possible, the suspect killed himself with a gunshot to the head.

The suspect's wife was arrested and charged with Murder. She was later acquitted after a trial.

Deputy Warden McConnell was survived by his wife and three children.

Survivors

Deputy Warden McConnell was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-89624C55
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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.
Deputy Warden McConnell served with the New York City Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Warden McConnell.

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

Agency

Department New York City Department of Correction

Location East Elmhurst, NY

Platform Identity nydc.queens.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 26, 1932

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber

Offender Committed suicide

Deputy Warden William J. McConnell 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 City Department of Correction, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Department of Correction

of 10 officers

90% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious