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Incident
Deputy Joseph Wachowiak succumbed to head injuries after being struck on the head during a jail escape involving five inmates at the Erie County Jail in Buffalo. At 9:00 p.m., when the inmates were being locked in their cells for the night, a prisoner grabbed a hidden mop handle, beat Deputy Wachowiak, and locked him in a jail cell. He rallied four other prisoners to escape with him. All five were captured. The 31-year-old leader was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in Dannemora Prison on November 1, 1954.
Survivors
Deputy Wachowiak was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Wachowiak served with the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Wachowiak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Erie County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 1 officer at Erie County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
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
Joseph was 49. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Erie County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 49; the middle age was 44.
Joseph was 49. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Joseph was 49. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Erie County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 40%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Erie County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 2.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Erie County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Erie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
