Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Wednesday, July 3, 1974
Add to My HeroesPatrick J. Wallace, Jr.
Patrolman Patrick Wallace was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect on an outstanding warrant near the intersection of Fargo Street and Singer Place.
Patrolman Wallace and his partner were on patrol in the Brushton area of Pittsburgh and were attempting to arrest a suspect for failure to appear in court. The suspect fled before they could arrest him, and a foot chase ensued. As soon as the officers caught the suspect, a second suspect, crouched behind a parked car, fired at Patrolman Wallace, striking him in the chest and killing him. The other officer returned fire, missing both suspects. The two suspects fled the scene.
The 22-year-old gunman, an escapee from Western Penitentiary, was captured in Pittsburg two months later. The suspect, serving a 5 to 15-year sentence for nine armed robberies, failed to return to prison after being given a weekend furlough the last weekend in May 1974. After Patrolman Wallace's murder, the news reports of numerous Western Penitentiary furloughed inmates not returning to prison enraged the public. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on March 28, 1975. His sentence was later commuted to life. The suspect was granted compassionate release from prison in April 2023. He died while in hospice care in June 2023.
Patrolman Wallace was a United States Army veteran and served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for more than five years, assigned to Zone 5 Police Station. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 5 years, 4 months
- Badge 1252
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Deceased
Most Recent Reflection
View all 22 ReflectionsPatrolman Wallace,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
July 3, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024