Bio & Incident Details
Age: 62
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 9/13/1968
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Died in prison
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Deputy Fitzgerald was shot and killed as he and another deputy transported three prisoners from the Auburn Correctional Facility to the Westchester County Courthouse for court appearances. As they pulled off of the New York State Thruway the inmates attempted to escape. One of the inmates gained control of Deputy Fitzgerald's service revolver and shot him. The other deputy shot and killed one of the inmates and wounded the inmate who shot Deputy Fitzgerald.
The prisoner who killed Deputy Fitzgerald was sentenced to death but had the sentenced reduced to life in 1972 when the death sentence was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. He died in prison November 19, 2001. The other inmate was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled September 6, 2007.
