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Incident
Patrolman Frederick Pettit was killed while assisting the local fire department at the scene of a major fire in the city's downtown district on Broadway Street. He was standing with the fire chief and assistant fire chief when an explosion occurred inside one of the burning buildings. The explosion blew a large number of bricks onto the three, killing Patrolman Pettit and injuring the other two. Patrolman Pettit had served with the Saratoga Springs Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Patrolman Pettit gave the Saratoga Springs Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saratoga Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pettit.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Frederick is the only officer of Saratoga Springs Police Department remembered here.
Frederick is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frederick 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 1957, 6 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1957, 55 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frederick was 41. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Frederick had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frederick was 41. 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. Frederick had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frederick was 41. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 14 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 100% of all 1 deaths at Saratoga Springs Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Saratoga Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.