Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Monday, August 22, 1927
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 2 months
Badge Number: 2853
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 22, 1927
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Private John Downey was shot and killed while attempting to disperse a crowd of over 2,000 coal miners who were protesting the pending execution of a convicted criminal the following day.
When the troopers used tear gas, someone in the crowed opened fire, fatally wounding Private Downey.
Private Downey was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWI and had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for three years. He was survived by his mother.