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Incident
Patrolman Leo Garrahan succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one month earlier while transporting a prisoner to jail in the sidecar of his motorcycle. The prisoner grabbed Patrolman Garrahan's service revolver from its holster and shot him several times. The suspect was arrested four days after the incident. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life. He was denied a new trial on December 4, 1958. He was still in prison in 1963. Patrolman Garrahan had served with the Watervliet Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and siblings.
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 Garrahan gave the Watervliet Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Watervliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Garrahan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Watervliet Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Leo is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Leo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leo 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 1930, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leo was 28. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Leo had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Leo was 28. 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. Leo had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leo was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leo had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Watervliet Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Watervliet Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Leo among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Watervliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.