James B. Durnin
Incident
Principal Keeper James Durnin was stabbed by an inmate with a shank as he stood guard outside the prison mess hall at the Auburn State Prison.
The suspect was convicted of Keeper Durnin's murder and executed on August 9th, 1928.
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- 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.
Principal Keeper Durnin served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Principal Keeper Durnin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Department of Correctional Services has lost 36 officers; 26 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1927, 1 officer at New York State Department of Correctional Services was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 7.
In 1927, 9 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
November holds 3.8% of these deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services; September holds the most, 26.9%. Thursdays: 30.8%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 36 deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Department of Correctional Services has 36 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Augustus T. Wright Jul 11, 1861
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Edwin A. Craft Mar 18, 1869
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Samuel Calvert Mar 17, 1872
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Harvey A. Casler Feb 8, 1877
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George McKelvey May 6, 1880
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Archibald Benedict Jan 9, 1901
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Dennis O'Brien Jan 11, 1904
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Nellie Wicks Sep 27, 1906
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Daniel J. McCarthy Jun 24, 1916
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Charles H. North Dec 12, 1917
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Charles I. Gunter Apr 17, 1919
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Jesse Christian Jul 24, 1923
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James B. Durnin Nov 17, 1927
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George A. Durnford
Dec 11, 1929
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John H. Martin Dec 15, 1929
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Edward L. Beckwith
Mar 5, 1930
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Daniel James Nickerson
Mar 25, 1934
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James H. Donovan Mar 21, 1940
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John Hartye
Apr 14, 1941
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Harold E. Bruette Jul 27, 1949
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William E. Quinn
Sep 11, 1971
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Edward T. Cunningham
Sep 13, 1971
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John D'Arcangelo, Jr.
Sep 13, 1971
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Richard J. Lewis
Sep 13, 1971
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Carl W. Valone
Sep 13, 1971
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Ronald D. Werner
Sep 13, 1971
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Harrison William Whalen
Oct 9, 1971
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Nancy Vial Aug 5, 1977
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Donna A. Payant
May 15, 1981
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Claude W. Cromie
Feb 6, 1982
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Peter Michael Petrosino
Oct 24, 1991
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James Paul Ascone
May 9, 1995
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Frank Mydlarz
Aug 1, 1999
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Raymond J. Curtis
Mar 30, 2000
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John Thomas Hart, Sr.
Sep 9, 2002
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Casimiro Maximino Pomales
Jan 28, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
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