100 Years Ago: First BPD Line-of-Duty Death

A century has passed since the first Binghamton police officer died while on the job.

Alexander Horvatt was 29 years old when he came into contact with an electric charge on a light pole in the city's First Ward on July 29, 1917.

Horvatt had been with the city police department for just over five years before his death.

According to a story published in The Binghamton Press, Horvatt was electrocuted when his hand touched an iron hook on a pole at Front and Clinton streets.

The incident happened shortly after eight o'clock on a Sunday evening as Horvatt was starting his night shift.

The newspaper story described Horvatt as "one of the most popular and efficient members" of the city police force.

Six other Binghamton police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The last such death occurred 22 years ago when Officer Lee Barta was shot and killed on the city's North Side.

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