Erie County Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Thursday, November 19, 1896
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: November 19, 1896
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Warden Thomas McCrea was killed when a prisoner he was transporting to prison by train attacked him and pulled him from the moving train approximately 11 miles outside of Pittsburgh.
Warden McCrea and a deputy were transporting several prisoners from the Erie County Jail to the Western Penitentiary, in Pittsburgh, when one of the prisoners was able to slip from his handcuffs. Warden McCrea attempted to restrain the prisoner, but when the prisoner jumped from the moving train, he grabbed a hold of Warden McCrea and pulled him from the train car. The inmate landed on top of Warden McCrea, killing him.
The inmate was seriously injured from the fall and was unable to escape. He was taken back into custody without any incident and later charged with murder.
Warden McCrea was survived by his wife.