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Incident
Patrolman Harold Shaw was shot and killed by burglary suspects after the building they were burglarizing was surrounded. He discovered a burglary in progress at the Rae Oil Company at 10 Ambrose Street and radioed for backup. Once backup officers arrived a perimeter was established with an officer at all windows and doors. Gunfire erupted at the window where Patrolman Shaw was standing and he was struck once in the arm and once in the chest. He returned fire before he succumbed to his wounds at the scene. The two perpetrators fled through that window and were later captured. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in Attica State Prison on June 29th, 1960. One subject was released from prison on December 24th, 1979. The other was released on November 15th, 1984.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Shaw gave the Rochester Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Shaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rochester Police Department has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Harold is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Harold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harold 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 1959, 1 officer at Rochester Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1959, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harold was 37. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Rochester Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 42; the middle age was 36. Harold had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Harold was 37. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Harold had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Harold was 37. 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. Harold had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 22.2% of these deaths at Rochester Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 22.2%.
December holds 7.6% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Rochester Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rochester Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Harold among them.
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Louis Gomenginger Jul 3, 1876
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William P. O'Neil
Dec 30, 1888
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Charles E. Twitchell
Aug 7, 1910
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Frank Ford
May 29, 1912
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William J. Geib
Sep 9, 1914
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James Upton
Mar 19, 1919
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William O'Brien
May 2, 1919
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John T. Mallett Jun 22, 1931
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Victor Woodhead
Nov 17, 1932
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James T. Volz
Sep 15, 1942
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Harold V. Shaw
Dec 11, 1959
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Leo L. Kerber
Dec 10, 1961
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John J. Jenkins, Jr.
Jan 3, 1979
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Ronald J. Siver
Aug 19, 1984
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Thomas William Clark
Jan 17, 2006
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Daryl Robert Pierson
Sep 3, 2014
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Anthony Patrick Mazurkiewicz
Jul 21, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Rochester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
