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Incident
Officer Francis Keyes was wounded when he stopped two young men on a motorcycle who went through a red light. The 17-year-old driver gave a fictitious name and could produce neither his driver's license nor registration for the motorcycle. Another officer stayed with the motorcycle and sent Officer Keyes, with the two men, to the 5th Precinct located on Central Avenue near North Lake Avenue. At Central Avenue and Quail, one suspect stuck a .32-cal pistol in Officer Keyes' ribs and ordered the officer to drive past the patrol car and told his accomplice to take the officer's gun. The second suspect, however, fled. Officer Keyes then exited the car and struggled with the first suspect. The suspect shot Officer Keyes in the right chest and fled. Officer Keyes returned fire, emptying his revolver at the fleeing suspect, but missed. Officer Keyes then collapsed on the hood of a passing motorist who witnessed the incident. The witness drove Officer Keyes to the hospital where the officer died 8 days later from pneumonia, a resulting complication of the shooting. One was subsequently arrested as he stepped off a train in Plattsburgh, New York and charged with murder. The co-defendant, a 13 year old, was later arrested and charged with Juvenile Delinquency. The 17-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life.
Survivors
Officer Keyes had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his daughter.
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.
Police Officer Keyes gave the Albany Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Keyes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albany Police Department has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis 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 1936, 1 officer at Albany Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1936, 5 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 43. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Albany Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 43; the middle age was 43. Francis had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 13.5 years.
Francis was 43. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Francis had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Francis was 43. 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. Francis had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Albany Police Department; January holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 50%.
April holds 6.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Albany Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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, in 21.5% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Albany Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
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Walter Major Aug 16, 1921
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Francis V. Keyes
Apr 24, 1936
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William J. Fitzpatrick
Jan 5, 1945
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Samuel B. Robinson
May 13, 1957
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Francis W. Castle
Feb 6, 1961
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Thomas P. McAvoy
Jan 28, 1964
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Edward C. Stevens
Nov 26, 1971
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Michael F. McNeil, Jr.
Nov 29, 1971
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Guy John Barringer
Apr 10, 1987
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John F. Finn
Feb 12, 2004
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Kenneth P. Wilcox
Apr 26, 2006
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Douglas Henry Mayville
Apr 9, 2014
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
