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William T. Cramer
Incident
Game Protector William Cramer was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated gunfire in the Idlewild Woods near present-day JFK Airport. The two officers had just arrested a man for illegally hunting songbirds when they heard another gunshot nearby. When they went to investigate the gunshot, the original suspect shouted warnings to the other man in Italian. The second poacher immediately opened fire. Game Protector Cramer was struck in the face with a shotgun blast and killed instantly. His partner was severely beaten by the men but survived. The subject who murdered Game Protector Cramer was arrested, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 20 years to life in Sing Sing Prison. Seven years earlier, Game Protector Cramer was shot and wounded three times after being beaten by two suspects. His wounds at that time were considered life-threatening, but he made a full recovery and returned to duty. Game Protector Cramer had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for 12 years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector Cramer gave the New York State Environmental Conservation Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Cramer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Environmental Conservation Police has lost 18 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 10 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 22.2% of all 18 deaths at New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Environmental Conservation Police has 18 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Samuel S. Taylor
Apr 6, 1914
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Frederick T. Schmidt Nov 10, 1919
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John H. Woodruff
Nov 27, 1919
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Harvey B. Cruikshank
Jun 8, 1926
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William T. Cramer
Sep 29, 1929
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Paul DuCuennois
Oct 16, 1932
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Charles William Gaffney
Nov 16, 1934
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Lawrence Kessler
Nov 26, 1935
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Clarence Joseph Webster
Nov 16, 1944
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Paul N. Campbell
Nov 8, 1958
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Benning W. De La Mater
Jun 24, 1961
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William F. Becker
Mar 11, 1981
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Thomas J. Graham, Jr.
Sep 21, 2013
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Paul C. Adam
Sep 8, 2015
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Stephen Lawrence Raymond
Apr 17, 2017
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Lawrence E. Cabana
Aug 6, 2022
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David J. McShane
Jan 23, 2024
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Ronald John Bosela
Feb 27, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from New York State Environmental Conservation Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
