Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 25, 1879
Age: 65
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Date of Incident: November 25, 1879
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer William Plummer was struck and killed by a train while making his rounds at the Pennsylvania Railroad depot in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.
He was checking several boxcars that were parked on a siding when an eastbound freight train approached. As he stepped off of the track he was struck by a westbound express mail train. It is believed the sound of the of freight train, combined with being on a sharp curve, prevented him from noticing the express mail train.
Officer Plummer had served as a police officer and night watchman for the Pennsylvania Railroad for approximately 11 years. He was a widower and survived by his seven sons and one daughter. He was predeceased by three other sons.