James A. Harvey

Syracuse Police Department — Syracuse, NY

Felonious

End of Watch August 1, 1893

Tour of Duty 24 yrs

The Vigil Panel 12 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 11

Incident

Detective Harvey was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest two suspected burglars. Detective Harvey was in the act of making the arrest when one of the suspects turned around and drew a revolver. He then shot Detective Harvey in the head, killing him instantly. The two suspects were chased by several citizens who apprehended one suspect and turned him over to the police. The suspect was convicted of Detective Harvey's murder and executed on May 14, 1894. Detective Harvey had served with the Syracuse Police Department for 24 years. He had previously served as chief of the agency.

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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

133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Detective Harvey gave the Syracuse Police Department 24 years.
Thank you for your service to the Syracuse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Syracuse Police Department

Location Syracuse, NY

Platform Identity spd.onondaga.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 1, 1893

Tour of Duty 24 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Executed in 1894

Detective James A. Harvey 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 Syracuse Police Department, 9 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Syracuse Police Department

of 12 officers

75% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious