Detective James A. Stevens, Rensselaer Police Department, New York

Detective James A. Stevens

Rensselaer Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, May 29, 1933

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James A. Stevens

Detective James Stevens and Sergeant Frederick Rabe were shot and fatally wounded while responding to a bank robbery committed by the Scarnici Gang from New York City.

The two officers were shot as the gang attempted to come out of the bank at 810 Broadway. Detective Stevens died at the scene and Sergeant Rabe succumbed to his wounds six years later on September 1st, 1939.

Two of the subjects were shot and killed during the incident. Three members of the gang were eventually caught in Poughkeepsie, New York. One was executed on June 27th, 1935. The other two were acquitted.

Bio

Age 65
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Executed in 1935

robbery

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My name is John Patterson. I live in Rensselaer, NY. Detective James Stevens was my grandmothers' father. Many times I walk past the old bank building where he gave his life in service. He died in the doorway of that bank. He was shot at entry. Most people run away from gunfire but he fled to it to try to save other people. My grandmother was Florence Stevens Patterson. She never forgot the murder of her father. She lived to be 99 years old and framed memorial of the incident hung on her wall to the day she died. Glad to see some people honoring our family member.

John S Patterson

January 17, 2021