McCandless Township Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Monday, January 8, 1973
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 12
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: January 8, 1973
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 3 years
Patrolman Albert Devlin was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of McKnight Road and Braunlich Drive in Ross Township while pursuing a stolen vehicle occupied by an adult and two juveniles.
The vehicle had been stolen in Pittsburgh and was spotted by an officer with Harmony Township Police Department in Butler County. Harmony Township police terminated the pursuit once it crossed into Allegheny County and was taken up by McCandless Township Police Department. Patrolman Devlin positioned his vehicle across two lanes of traffic on McKnight Road, where the stolen vehicle swerved around him and nearly struck him.
The chase continued a short distance away into a restaurant parking lot where the stolen vehicle was abandoned. The three occupants fled on foot over a hillside, where they stole a second vehicle that had been idling. As Patrolman Devlin was pursuing the second stolen vehicle, he attempted to run it off the road but was hit broadside. The impact knocked both vehicles into several utility poles, causing Patrolman Devlin to be ejected from his vehicle. The adult and two juveniles then fled the scene of the accident on foot. Patrolman Devlin was rushed to North Hills Passavant Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The subjects were arrested by detectives from the Ross Township Police Department, McCandless Township Police Department, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police the next day. The 19-year-old driver was apprehended and charged with Patrolman Devlin's murder. On May 23rd, 1973, while out on bond and awaiting trial for the murder of Patrolman Devlin, the suspect was arrested in a parked vehicle with a minor by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The man was charged with a narcotics violation and corrupting the morals of a minor. On June 27th, 1973, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, corrupting the morals of a minor, auto larceny, and traffic violations. He was sentenced to three consecutive one to three years in prison in connection with the murder of Patrolman Devlin. The two juveniles were referred to the juvenile justice system.
Patrolman Devlin was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the McCandless Township Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.