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Incident
Sheriff Fred Bigalow succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to arrest a suspect on Upper Mountain Road in Pekin. The suspect had been located in a hayloft of a barn, and the sheriff was shot when he climbed onto the loft. Sheriff Bigalow was transported to Lockport City Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The suspect committed suicide a short time later. Sheriff Bigalow had been sheriff for 9 years. He was survived by his wife, mother, and brother. His late father had also served as Niagara County Sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and brother.
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.
Sheriff Bigalow gave the Niagara County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lockport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Bigalow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Niagara County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Fred is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1944, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 53. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Fred had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Fred was 53. 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. Fred had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.5% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Niagara County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Niagara County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Niagara County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
