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Incident
Sergeant John Hawley was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while retreating from a shootout with two heavily armed subjects at the Jones Court Apartments on Baldwin Street. The two men had just been released from prison and were planning a crime spree to murder police officers and district attorney staff members. Officers located the men in an apartment after they abducted a cab driver. As the SWAT team attempted to enter the apartment they came under heavy fire and two officers were wounded. Sergeant Hawley took up a position in the living room to offer cover to the other members who were retreating. He then escaped through a living room window and began to run from the apartment complex when he was shot as the result of an accidental discharge by another officer. The other officer, who had been guarding the perimeter for 45 minutes in sub-zero temperatures, attempted to reposition himself on the ground and his shotgun discharged, striking Sergeant Hawley. The barricaded subjects later committed murder-suicide, ending the standoff. Sergeant Hawley had served with the Elmira Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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.
Sergeant Hawley gave the Elmira Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elmira community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hawley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Elmira Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 3 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 42. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 42. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 16.4%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Elmira Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Elmira Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Elmira Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
