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Incident
Keeper McGovern was killed during an escape attempt at the 7th District Prison attached to the old Police/Magistrates Court on West 54th Street in Manhattan. The suspects had cut themselves free from their cell with a saw that one of the suspect's girlfriends smuggled into the jail inside a sweet potato pie.
After getting free the suspects struck Keeper McGovern over the head with the cut away piece of bar, killing him. The suspects then climbed down a makeshift rope. The first inmate made it down the rope but the the rope broke as the second man climbed down and he fell to his death.
The prisoner who escaped was later captured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death for Keeper McGovern's murder and executed at Sing Sing Prison on June 8, 1903.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Keeper McGovern gave the New York City Department of Correction 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Keeper McGovern.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Department of Correction has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Hugh is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Hugh is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hugh is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1900, 1 officer at New York City Department of Correction was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1900, 5 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hugh was 51. Of the 8 killed feloniously at New York City Department of Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 49.5; the middle age was 43.5. Hugh had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Hugh was 51. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Hugh had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Hugh was 51. 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. Hugh had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hugh was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hugh had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 22.2% of these deaths at New York City Department of Correction; November holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 44.4%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at New York City Department of Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; pipe, in 11.1% 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; pipe, in 0.3% 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; pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Department of Correction has 10 officers remembered here, Hugh among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New York City Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
