Harvey A. Casler

New York State Department of Correctional Services — Albany, NY

Felonious

End of Watch February 8, 1877

The Vigil Panel 5 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 35

Incident

Keeper Harvey Casler was struck in the head with a shovel and killed by a prisoner.

Keeper Casler was supervising a work detail that was assigned to shovel snow from the walkway in front of Auburn State Prison. One of the inmates he was supervising struck Keeper Casler over the head with a shovel, killing him.

In November of 1877 the suspect was convicted of Keeper Casler's murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Keeper Casler, On today, the 148th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New York.

BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) February 8th, 2025

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Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Keeper Casler 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.

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

Agency

Department New York State Department of Correctional Services

Location Albany, NY

Platform Identity nysdcscorr.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 8, 1877

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object; Shovel

Offender Sentenced to life

Keeper Harvey A. Casler 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

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