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Incident
Warden Tinker fatally stabbed by an inmate at the Maine State Prison. The convict, who was serving a five year sentence for assault, approached Warden Tinker from behind and without any known cause, stabbed him and severed his carotid artery. Warden Tinker died a few moments later from the wound.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody. He was indicted for murder and plead guilty. He was sentenced to death and executed on June 24th, 1864.
Warden Tinker had been the Warden of the Maine State Prison for two years. He had also previously served as the sheriff of Hancock County and as a senator in the Maine State Senate.
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 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
163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden Tinker gave the Maine Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maine Department of Corrections has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in ME, 43% of the 86 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1863, 1 officer in ME was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1873, with 2.
In 1863, 10 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 171st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1863, 14 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 172nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 67. Of the 32 killed feloniously in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 49.5; the middle age was 42. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 67. 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. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 67. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.8% of these deaths in ME; January holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 13.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Maine Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43% of all 86 deaths in ME, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon; knife, 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Maine Department of Corrections has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Maine Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
