Patrolman Edward George Couch

Edward George Couch

Patrolman Edward Couch succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while chasing a man who had just murdered another man at the intersection of Irwin Avenue and Freedmore Street. The suspect was an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad who continued to work despite a strike at the railroad.

The man was walking home from a party when he was confronted by three drunk strikers who began to harass him. The suspect shot and killed one of them and then began to flee. Patrolman Couch, who was nearby, heard the shot and began to chase the suspect. The man turned and fired four more shots, all of them striking Patrolman Couch.

The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison of pneumonia January 5th, 1929.

Patrolman Couch had served with the Pittsburgh Police Department for 18 years. He is buried in Lot 16, Range 5, Section F, Division 3 of Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.