Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Humphrey was assaulted during a jailbreak and subsequently died from the injuries. Two 16-year-old escapees from the State School at Industry were being held on the second floor of the jail. They had jimmied a lock so it would still open without a key and could also be yanked open. When Deputy Humphrey opened the end gate to their area and opened the dumbwaiter to give them their supper, one flushed the toilet while the other yanked the door open. Both detainees then attacked Deputy Humphrey, beating him unmercifully. One of them also used a steel bedspring to beat him. Another deputy heard the commotion and found Deputy Humphrey and the two perpetrators in their cells. Deputy Humphrey was taken to the local hospital and then to Buffalo General Hospital where he was operated on for severe brain injury. Deputy Humphrey never regained consciousness. The two youths were convicted of second degree manslaughter and sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years, which was added to sentences for burglary and grand larceny, a total of 16.5 to 33 years. One was released on June 1, 1983. On September 6, 1984, he was arrested by New York Police for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The other suspect was paroled on August 19, 1992.
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Humphrey served with the Wyoming County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Warsaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Humphrey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Blakely B. Humphrey 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Blakely B. Humphrey's cause is highlighted.
How Blakely B. Humphrey Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Blakely B. Humphrey is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Blakely B. Humphrey was killed by person.