Police Officer Thomas Lawrence Herron

Thomas Lawrence Herron

Police Officer Thomas Herron and Officer Joseph J. Grill were killed in an auto accident while in pursuit of two stolen vehicles. Their patrol wagon collided with another patrol wagon near the intersection of 26th Street and Sarah Street shortly before 10:00 am.

During the chase, both vehicles had split up and were continuing to be followed by Officers Herron and Grill. While pursuing the second vehicle on Sarah Street, their patrol vehicle was broadsided by a second police wagon that was entering the pursuit on 26th Street. The 18-year-old subject abandoned the stolen vehicle a few blocks away shortly after the crash.

On March 14, the suspect was arrested at City Court while attending a hearing related to an unrelated charge of robbery. Investigators learned of the suspect's identity shortly after the accident and were unable to locate him but were aware of the scheduled court hearing. The driver of the first stolen vehicle was arrested the same day, several blocks from the accident scene. On October 9, 1991, the 18-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of homicide by motor vehicle. The suspect was sentenced to 9 1/2 years to 29 years in prison.

Officer Herron was a United States Navy veteran who had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 22 years and was assigned to Zone 3 South Side. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.