New York City Department of Correction, New York
End of Watch Monday, October 29, 1900
Add to My HeroesHugh McGovern
Keeper McGovern was killed during an escape attempt at the 7th District Prison attached to the old Police/Magistrates Court on West 54th Street in Manhattan. The suspects had cut themselves free from their cell with a saw that one of the suspect's girlfriends smuggled into the jail inside a sweet potato pie.
After getting free the suspects struck Keeper McGovern over the head with the cut away piece of bar, killing him. The suspects then climbed down a makeshift rope. The first inmate made it down the rope but the the rope broke as the second man climbed down and he fell to his death.
The prisoner who escaped was later captured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death for Keeper McGovern's murder and executed at Sing Sing Prison on June 8, 1903.
Keeper McGovern had been with the agency for 20 years.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 20 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Weapon Blunt object; Pipe
- Offender Executed in 1903
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsRest in peace Keeper McGovern.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 27, 2019
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