JR
John Ratkay
1917
John Ratkay.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
What Happened
Patrolman John Ratkay was shot and killed while he was attempting to break up a disorderly group at 135 11th Street (near present-day Memorial Parkway & Buffalo Avenue). Patrolman Ratkay had been assigned to a special detail aimed at eliminating "Disorderly Houses" which had been operating in this area for some time. The suspect, who was a target of the police cleanup, was arrested a few hours later at a house on 20th Street.
The 33-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled in 1929. He was sent to the Atlanta Federal Prison in 1931 for a narcotics conviction. He was paroled 19 months later. In 1933 he violated his parole and remained a large until captured in Connecticut in 1940.
The 33-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled in 1929. He was sent to the Atlanta Federal Prison in 1931 for a narcotics conviction. He was paroled 19 months later. In 1933 he violated his parole and remained a large until captured in Connecticut in 1940.
Service Record
Also Served
Niagara Falls Police Department
Patrolman
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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