Daniel James Nickerson
Incident
Guard Daniel Nickerson was fatally stabbed by an inmate who had just attempted to stab another guard while being searched before taken to the prison's hospital at Clinton Prison. As the guard started to search him the man produced a clasp knife and lunged at him, inflicting a superficial wound on the guard's abdomen. Guard Nickerson and a third guard immediately came to the guard's assistance. Guard Nickerson was stabbed in the heart and killed instantly during the ensuing struggle. The third guard was also stabbed in the abdomen but survived the wound. The inmate was convicted of Guard Nickerson's murder and executed on February 21st, 1935. Guard Nickerson had served as a guard at the prison for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Guard Nickerson gave the New York State Department of Correctional Services 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Nickerson.
— 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.
Daniel is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 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 1934, 14 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 45. Of the 18 killed feloniously at New York State Department of Correctional Services whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 44.8; the middle age was 41. Daniel had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Daniel was 45. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Daniel had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Daniel was 45. 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. Daniel had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 19.2% of these deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services; September holds the most, 26.9%. Sundays: 7.7%.
March holds 7.7% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 51.7% of all 34,117 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, Daniel 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 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from New York State Department of Correctional Services are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.














