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Incident
Location: New York Weapon: Handgun; .38 caliber Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Patrolman Wiliam Deal was shot and killed in Scotia, New York, while attempting to arrest three men who were trespassing in the railroad's Sand Bank Yards.
The same three men had attacked and robbed a Boston and Maine Railroad Police lieutenant the previous night in Mechanicville. During that incident, the lieutenant had attempted to arrest the men for trespassing. After attacking him the men stole his revolver, badge, and money before tying him up and leaving him the woods.
Patrolman Deal was shot when he confronted the men moments after they asked a brakeman where they could jump onto a train. All three were arrested following a day-long manhunt. The man who shot Patrolman Deal was sentenced to 30 years at hard labor.
Patrolman Deal had served with the New York Central Railroad Police for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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 Deal gave the New York Central Railroad Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Deal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Central Railroad Police Department has lost 14 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1933, 1 officer at New York Central Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1933, 6 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 8 killed feloniously at New York Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 42.5. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 42. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 42. 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. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 12.5% of these deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Wednesdays: 9.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 14 deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 12.5% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
New York Central Railroad Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Clyde F. Bartlett
Jun 10, 1919
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John Boss Aug 24, 1919
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Thomas T. Cook Jul 12, 1920
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David H. Barnes Jul 28, 1920
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Louis F. Schroeder
Jan 17, 1921
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Augustus E. Long
Jan 17, 1921
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William F. Hillen Feb 24, 1922
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William M. Burke Aug 29, 1922
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Louis L. Shirley
Apr 14, 1923
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Bernard J. Olszewski
Apr 7, 1929
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Frederick Glover
Feb 16, 1930
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William E. Deal
Oct 11, 1933
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Adolph Fredick MacLemale
Dec 22, 1935
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Humphrey Akin See
Apr 19, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
