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Incident
Patrolman Otto Albertson suffered a fatal stroke shortly after discovering a fire in a tailor shop at 207 Main Street while conducting overnight business checks. He alerted the fire department of the fire, which destroyed much of the building's interior shortly before midnight. He went home when his shift ended at 4:30 am. His wife discovered him in distress at 6:30 am and summoned a doctor, but he died before the doctor arrived. Patrolman Albertson had served with the Poughkeepsie Police Department for 18 years, including two years as the chief of police. He had previously served with the New York Central Police Department for several years. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son also served with the Poughkeepsie Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Albertson gave the Poughkeepsie City Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Poughkeepsie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Albertson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Poughkeepsie City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Otto is one of 630 officers lost to illness in NY, 29.5% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Otto is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otto is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 3 officers in NY were lost to illness, the 23rd heaviest of 41 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 65.
In 1916, 6 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 26th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1916, 15 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 27th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Otto was 55. Of the 615 lost to illness in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 61; the middle age was 55. Otto had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Otto was 55. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Otto had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Otto was 55. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Otto had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 7.6% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 14%. Thursdays: 15.6%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Poughkeepsie City Police Department, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 29.5% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Poughkeepsie City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Otto among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Poughkeepsie City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
