The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers . . .
 
Photograph: Patrolman Edward G. Couch

Patch image: Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania






Patrolman Edward G. Couch
Pittsburgh Police Department
Pennsylvania

End of Watch: Monday, October 30, 1922

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, October 29, 1922
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Died in prison

Patrolman Couch succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while chasing a man who had just murdered another man. The suspect was an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad who continued to work despite a strike at the railroad.

The man was walking home from a party when he was confronted by three drunk strikers who began to harass him. The suspect shot and killed one of them and then began to flee. Patrolman Couch, who was nearby, heard the shot and began to chase the suspect. The man turned and fired four more shots, all of them striking Patrolman Couch.

The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison of pneumonia January 5, 1929.

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