Incident
Patrolman Forden was stabbed to death by a woman on Luthern Avenue near William Street during a vice raid. Other officers arrested the suspect.
The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Forden's murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in Westfield state prison for women, Bedford Hills, on July 6, 1934.
He had served with the agency for only 1 year and was assigned to the Headquarters Division.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-9B829B82- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Forden gave the Buffalo Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Forden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Sterling C. Forden 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 Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sterling C. Forden's cause is highlighted.
How Sterling C. Forden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sterling C. Forden is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sterling C. Forden was killed by edged weapon.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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