07/29/2026
Thoughts and prayers to the Detective's family and his colleagues at SPD. Please consider donating to help his family offset any financial hardship during this time. Link is in the story.
NEWS RELEASE
The Passing of Schenectady Police Detective Timothy Higgins
During the overnight hours of July 27, 2026, Detective Timothy Higgins passed away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City following a prolonged battle with cancer.
Detective Higgins joined the Schenectady Police Department in 2010 and dedicated his professional life to serving the residents of the City of Schenectady. He most recently served as a Detective in the Youth Aid Bureau and previously served in the Criminal Investigations Unit. Before that, he worked as a general patrol officer and a community police officer assigned to both the Woodlawn and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods.
“Detective Higgins devoted nearly sixteen years of his life to protecting and serving the people of Schenectady. Tim was a dedicated police officer, a trusted colleague, and a true friend to so many throughout our department and community. His compassion, strength, sense of humor, and commitment to helping others were evident throughout his career. Tim’s loss is immeasurable, and our entire department stands with his family during this incredibly difficult time. We will forever be grateful for his service, his friendship, and the lasting impact he made on the Schenectady Police Department and the city he proudly served,” said Schenectady Police Chief Brian Whipple.
Tim’s passing at just 39 years old is a heartbreaking reminder of how precious life is. In recent days, the Higgins family has received an extraordinary outpouring of support from the community, the Schenectady Police Department, and fellow first responders throughout the region. This support reflects the profound impact Tim made on those who had the privilege of knowing him during his sixteen years of service.
A public GoFundMe page was set up by the Schenectady Police Department PBA on behalf of Detective Higgins’ family to help support his wife and three young children through this difficult time and in the coming months and years ahead. Anyone wishing to donate can visit: https://gofund.me/1a3aa5f15
Private funeral and burial services are still being planned. There is no further information at this time.
