Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Friday, February 23, 1968
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: February 20, 1968
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman James Graff suffered a fatal heart attack following a foot pursuit of a subject he observed breaking into a car near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Wood Street.
He chased the subject several blocks but was unable to capture him, so he returned to the Central Station to complete paperwork. He started to experience chest pains and was sent home. His condition worsened and he was taken Providence Hospital, where he remained for three days before passing away.
Patrolman Graff was a United States Army Air Force veteran of WWII and had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. He was assigned to the Central Police Station, present day Zone 2.