Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant John Finn succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 6 weeks earlier during a foot chase of a robbery suspect.
During the chase at 11:15 p.m., the suspect turned around and opened fire, striking Lieutenant Finn three times. One of the rounds was stopped by his vest, one struck him in the leg, and the third entered his torso between two panels of the vest. The officer was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the chest several times, wounding him.
Lieutenant Finn was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital where he remained in critical condition until his death 6 weeks later.
The suspect was originally charged with attempted murder but faced revised charges as a result of Lieutenant Finn's death. The killer pleaded guilty to a 10-count indictment, including two counts of first-degree murder. On August 18th, 2004, he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
Lieutenant Finn had served with the Albany Police Department for 13 years. He received two life-saving awards and was named the Albany Police Officer of the Year in 2002.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-DBFFA8CD- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Finn gave the Albany Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Finn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant John F. Finn 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 Albany Police Department, 6 of 12 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. John F. Finn's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Finn Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to Life in Prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Finn is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Finn was killed by handgun; tech-9.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
