George McKelvey
Incident
Principal Keeper George McKelvey was stabbed and killed by an inmate at the Elmira Reformatory.
Keeper McKelvey entered the cell of an inmate to remove for disciplinary action. As he handcuffed the suspect, the suspect stabbed Keeper McKelvey in the heart with a knife.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Principal Keeper McKelvey served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Department of Correctional Services has lost 36 officers; 26 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1880, 1 officer at New York State Department of Correctional Services was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 7.
In 1880, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 35. Of the 18 killed feloniously at New York State Department of Correctional Services whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 44.8; the middle age was 41.
George was 35. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
George was 35. 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.
George was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services; September holds the most, 26.9%. Thursdays: 30.8%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
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 72.2% of all 36 deaths at New York State Department of Correctional Services, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Department of Correctional Services has 36 officers remembered here, George among them.
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Augustus T. Wright Jul 11, 1861
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Edwin A. Craft Mar 18, 1869
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Samuel Calvert Mar 17, 1872
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Harvey A. Casler Feb 8, 1877
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George McKelvey May 6, 1880
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Archibald Benedict Jan 9, 1901
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Dennis O'Brien Jan 11, 1904
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Nellie Wicks Sep 27, 1906
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Daniel J. McCarthy Jun 24, 1916
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Charles H. North Dec 12, 1917
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Charles I. Gunter Apr 17, 1919
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Jesse Christian Jul 24, 1923
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James B. Durnin Nov 17, 1927
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George A. Durnford
Dec 11, 1929
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John H. Martin Dec 15, 1929
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Edward L. Beckwith
Mar 5, 1930
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Daniel James Nickerson
Mar 25, 1934
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James H. Donovan Mar 21, 1940
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John Hartye
Apr 14, 1941
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Harold E. Bruette Jul 27, 1949
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William E. Quinn
Sep 11, 1971
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Edward T. Cunningham
Sep 13, 1971
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John D'Arcangelo, Jr.
Sep 13, 1971
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Richard J. Lewis
Sep 13, 1971
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Carl W. Valone
Sep 13, 1971
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Ronald D. Werner
Sep 13, 1971
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Harrison William Whalen
Oct 9, 1971
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Nancy Vial Aug 5, 1977
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Donna A. Payant
May 15, 1981
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Claude W. Cromie
Feb 6, 1982
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Peter Michael Petrosino
Oct 24, 1991
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James Paul Ascone
May 9, 1995
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Frank Mydlarz
Aug 1, 1999
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Raymond J. Curtis
Mar 30, 2000
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John Thomas Hart, Sr.
Sep 9, 2002
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Casimiro Maximino Pomales
Jan 28, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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