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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Torrence was beaten and strangled to death with a rope by two prisoners in the Essex County Jail during an escape attempt. The prisoners had lured Deputy Torrence, the lone jailer on duty, into the cell after the lights had been turned off for the night and then beat him and garroted him. Deputy Torrence's body was found with the rope tied around his neck by the Sheriff when Deputy Torrence's wife was unable to contact him. The two prisoners escaped from the jail. One suspect was captured the next day in Keene Valley near Elizabethtown. The other suspect was taken into custody a few days later. Both suspects, ages 21 and 32, were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years to life.
Survivors
Deputy Torrence was survived by his wife.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Torrence served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Torrence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Essex County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl 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 1948, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 64. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Earl was 64. 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.
Earl was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Essex County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 3.8% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Essex County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Essex County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
