In Memoriam

PBA

In the Line of Duty Deaths

Frederick E. Pettit

1915 - 1957

History with the Department:

Date of Death:

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.

George H. Stevens

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:

Activity at time of death:

While downtown on Broadway on Jan 8^th, 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 8^th fight. Both Joseph Merola & Patrick Lanzillo were subsequently charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree and served time in state prison.

James Cummings

1880 - 1936

History with the Department:

Date of Death:

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.

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