In Memoriam
In the Line of Duty Deaths
In the Line of Duty Deaths

1915 - 1957
History with the Department: Patrolman - March 17th, 1942
Date of Death: January 27th, 1957
Activity at time of death:
Officer Pettit was at the scene of a major downtown fire involving a large block of Broadway.
He was evacuating occupants of the buildings near the Division St intersection as the fire continued to spread out of control.
Officer Pettit was at the front of the MacFinn Drug Store at about 5:58 AM when a portion of the front of the building collapsed on he and Fire Chief Robert Carroll.
Officer Pettit was dead on arrival at Saratoga Hospital. Chief Carroll was severely injured but later recovered from his injuries.

1892 - 1941
History with the Department:
Patrolman – hired approximately 1922
May have had a break in service about 1930; worked the State Reservation for about 1 year.
Date of Death: February 17th, 1941 May have had a break in service about 1930; worked the State Reservation for about 1 year.
Activity at time of death:
While downtown on Broadway on Jan 8th, 1941 Officer Stevens observed an argument between two intoxicated males which became physical.
As Off Stevens attempted to arrest both subjects, Joseph Merola & Patrick Lanzillo, the two men fought with Officer Stevens, who was still able to effect arrest upon both.
Officer Stevens was later taken to Saratoga Hospital for physical injuries he sustained as a result of the fight, and was released to recuperate at home.
Officer George Stevens died of heart failure a month and a half later. His cause of death was determined to be from undue exertion to the heart as a result of the Jan 8th fight.
Both Joseph Merola & Patrick Lanzillo were subsequently charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree and served time in state prison.

1880 - 1936
History with the Department:
Patrolman – spring of 1916
Acting Detective – May 1925
Detective – Feb 16th, 1926
Date of Death: August 08th, 1936 Acting Detective – May 1925
Detective – Feb 16th, 1926
Activity at time of death:
While on duty, Officer Cummings was operating a police car responding to a call for service when he suffered a massive heart attack. He died at home several days later.


