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Incident
Patrolman John MacKechnie was killed after being beaten and strangled by a mentally unstable person in the Port Jervis City Hall. The man had been taken into custody earlier in the evening after officers received reports that he was acting strangely. The man was taken to a room in the basement of the city hall used as an evidence locker and an interview room. Patrolman MacKechnie was left alone with the suspect when the second officer was called away to assist with an investigation. A few moments later the suspect grabbed a double barreled shotgun being stored as evidence and attacked Patrolman MacKechnie, knocking him unconscious with the shotgun. The man then strangled him with his uniform necktie. After killing Patrolman MacKechnie, the man ran upstairs and yelled that he had killed the devil. The suspect was pursued back into the basement where he was taken into custody. An ambulance was called for Patrolman MacKechnie but he died before it arrived. The suspect was charged with first degree murder and was later committed to a state hospital. Patrolman MacKechnie had served with the Port Jervis Police Department for 8 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and is buried at St Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis, New York.
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 MacKechnie gave the Port Jervis Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Jervis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman MacKechnie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Port Jervis Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1949, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 38. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 38. 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. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.7% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Port Jervis Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 2.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Port Jervis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.