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Arthur M. Diffendale
Agency patch
Corporal

Arthur M. Diffendale

New York State Police — Albany, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch June 14, 1951
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 87 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 170

Incident

Corporal Diffendale was shot and killed after stopping a cattle truck with front and back license plates that did not match. As Corporal Diffendale approached the truck the suspect exited his vehicle and shot Corporal Diffendale in the chest. The suspect abandoned the truck, which was stolen along with the license plates and the cow in the truck, and escaped. He was later captured in Nassau County, New York. The suspect was wanted for stealing cattle in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. A photograph of the suspect and the stolen truck was televised. This was the first time New York State Police used television in a man hunt. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life in Attica State Prison on September 13, 1951. He escaped from prison on October 27, 1974, and was recaptured soon afterwards. He was paroled on Febuary 1, 1988. He was sent back to prison eight months later for having a weapon which was a violation of his parole. He died on October 20, 2001.

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Diffendale served with the New York State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Diffendale.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York State Police
Type State Police
Location Albany, Albany County, NY
Platform Identity nysp.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 14, 1951
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Arthur was 33. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York State Police has at least 120 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.

Across the years

Corporal Arthur M. Diffendale

New York State Police · End of Watch June 14, 1951

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E

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