Niagara Falls Police Department, New York
End of Watch Wednesday, October 10, 1917
Add to My HeroesJohn Ratkay
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.
Patrolman Ratkay had been with the agency for 8 months and had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He was survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 8 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Paroled in 1929
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsNo passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
October 10, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023

Special Agent Robert C. Castioni, Jr.
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: July 24, 2023

Police Officer Anthony Francone
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: August 25, 2023