New York State Police, New York
End of Watch: Friday, March 31, 1933
Age:
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Accidental
Date of Incident: March 31, 1933
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Sergeant Purcell was killed in an accident while on route to East Avon, New York for milk strike duty. While in route to the strike his automobile came to an abrupt halt for an unknown reason. Passing motorists found the two Troopers had been thrown from the vehicle and lay dazed or unconscious while Sergeant Purcell was found dead seated in the upright car with a broken neck. No evidence of a collision was found and investigators theorized that the brakes suddenly locked for an unknown reason.
Sergeant Purcell had been with the agency for nine years.