James Harry McVay

Rhode Island Department of Corrections — Cranston, RI

Felonious

End of Watch April 25, 1930

Age 58

The Vigil Panel 59 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Guard Harry McVay succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier during an escape attempt at the Rhode Island Penitentiary. The weapons had been smuggled into the prison's visitor area by accomplices of the inmates. One of the attempted escapees committed suicide with the same gun used to shoot Guard McVay.

Survivors

Guard McVay was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-RI-43EC256B
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.
Guard McVay served with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard McVay.

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

Agency

Department Rhode Island Department of Corrections

Location Cranston, RI

Platform Identity ridcorr.providence.ri.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1930

Age 58

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Committed suicide

Guard James Harry McVay 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 RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 8.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Rhode Island Department of Corrections, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Rhode Island Department of Corrections

of 5 officers

40% Felonious

RI — Statewide

of 55 officers

45.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious