Patrolman John S. Jarmacz

Syracuse Police Department

Date of Death: August 30, 1947

On August 30, 1947, Walter McClairy escaped while being booked at police headquarters. Patrolman John Jarmacz joined the chase and caught him on North Salina Street. Nearly an hour later, a second escape attempt ended tragically. Detectives had arrested Levi Leroy Harrington and Leroy Alford for a traffic violation and were transporting them in a patrol wagon on East Genesee Street. As the wagon moved, Harrington attacked Patrolman Jarmacz—who was riding in the open back—with the hook of his artificial arm and pushed him from the vehicle. Jarmacz struck his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull. Wagonman Raymond Kempf stopped the wagon, prevented Alford from fleeing, and rendered aid. Harrington was captured shortly afterward in McCarthy’s Alley. Patrolman Jarmacz was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died at 2:05 P.M.