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John H. Woodruff
Agency patch
Game Protector

John H. Woodruff

New York State Environmental Conservation Police — Albany, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch November 27, 1919
Age 36
Tour of Duty 1 mo
The Vigil Panel 38 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 17

Incident

Game Protector John Woodruff was killed when an unknown suspect struck him on the head with a heavy object. Protector Woodruff left his home on November 27th, 1919, to patrol Schenectady County in search of a foreign visitor suspected of game law violations. Search parties were sent out when he did not return from duty that night. They were unable to locate Protector Woodruff, and his fate was unknown until April 4th, 1921, when his remains were discovered in a hole near a creek bed with his revolver and badge missing. The coroner ruled his death a homicide. The case was never solved. Game Protector Woodruff had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for two months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

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.
Game Protector Woodruff served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Woodruff.

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

Agency

Department New York State Environmental Conservation Police
Type Other
Location Albany, Albany County, NY
Platform Identity nyseccons.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 27, 1919
Tour of Duty 1 mo
Age 36
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Blunt object

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 36. 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 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

November 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York State Environmental Conservation Police has 18 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years

Game Protector John H. Woodruff

New York State Environmental Conservation Police · End of Watch November 27, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E

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