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Incident
Patrolman James Upton was shot and killed by one of three men he surprised while they attempted to set fire to a grocery store at 223 Plymouth Avenue shortly before 2:00 a.m. Two suspects were apprehended and the killer was apprehended several weeks later. The 35-year-old killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1922 the New York Supreme Court ordered a new trial. He was then convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was released in 1941.
Survivors
Patrolman Upton was survived by his wife, mother, and several sisters.
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.
Patrolman Upton gave the Rochester Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Upton.
— 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.
James is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1919, 2 officers at Rochester Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 12 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 30. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 30. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 30. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.1% of these deaths at Rochester Police Department; December holds the most, 22.2%. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
March holds 7.7% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Wednesdays: 9.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Rochester Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 21.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Rochester Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, James 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 45-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.
