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Police Officer Thomas J. Mathews | Abington Township Police Department, Pennsylvania
Abington Township Police Department, Pennsylvania

Police Officer

Thomas J. Mathews

Abington Township Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch: Wednesday, June 29, 1949

Biographical Info

Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 29, 1949
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed in 1953

Police Officer Thomas Mathews was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious truck near Rydal he and his partner had seen leaving a large estate of a prominent citizen.

The driver of the truck fled with Officer Mathews in pursuit. His partner heard several gunshots moments later. Officer Mathews' body was located near a hedge approximately one hour later.

Investigation revealed that the subject had just committed a burglary at the estate. The man was apprehended in Lynchburg, Virginia, returned to Pennsylvania, and sentenced to death. He was subsequently executed on May 18, 1953.

Officer Mathews was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Abington Township Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife and son.