Charles I. Gunter
Agency patch
Guard

Charles I. Gunter

Felonious
End of Watch April 17, 1919
The Vigil Panel 37 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Guard Charles Gunter was struck on the head and killed during an escape attempt at the tuberculosis hospital at the Clinton State Prison.

Two inmates had concealed the brass nozzle of a fire hose and bludgeoned Guard Gunter to death as he watched over them in the dining hall.

The two inmates were both convicted of murdering Officer Gunter and sentenced to death. They were both executed in the electric chair on May 28th, 1920.

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.) Upland Police Dept. CA April 17th, 2019

In Our Keeping

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BO-US-NY-A853DD55
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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.
Guard Gunter served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Gunter.

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

Agency

Location Albany, NY
Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 17, 1919
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Blunt object
Offender Executed in 1920

Guard Charles I. Gunter 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 State Department of Correctional Services, 26 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.2% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Department of Correctional Services
26
of 36 officers
72.2% 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. Charles I. Gunter'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 Charles I. Gunter Compares

Offender Outcome

Executed in 1920

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles I. Gunter is highlighted in Apr.

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. Charles I. Gunter was killed by blunt object.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location