Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Hyde succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained while chasing a burglary suspect in downtown Amsterdam. He and another officer were chasing two suspects who had just stolen money from two stores. One of the suspects opened fire on the officers, striking Patrolman Hyde in the elbow. The two men were able to escape due to heavy fog and it is not known if they were ever apprehended. Patrolman Hyde developed complications as a result of the gunshot wound and died on November 14th, 1891. Patrolman Hyde was one of the original six officers appointed to the Amsterdam Police Department when the city charter took effect.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-A46BF50C- 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
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Hyde gave the Amsterdam Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Amsterdam community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph Hyde 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 Amsterdam Police 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. Joseph Hyde's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Hyde Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Hyde is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Hyde was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Amsterdam Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
