Private John Francis Dargus

John Francis Dargus

Private John Dargus was shot and killed by a suspect wanted for murder in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Private Dargus and other officers pursued the suspect across the state line to a home on Chestnut Street in Struthers, Ohio. Private Dargus was given permission to enter the home by the home owner. As he ascended the stairs to the second floor where the suspect was hiding, he was shot twice by the suspect and killed instantly.

The suspect was captured in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 27th, 1918, and returned to Ohio one week later. He was convicted of Private Dargus' murder and sentenced to death at the Ohio Penitentiary December 10th, 1918. His sentence was later commuted to life. He applied for a parole on February 21, 1940. The result is unknown, but it was understood if he did get paroled he was to be returned to Pennsylvania to stand trial for the murder he committed there.

Private Dargus had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for eight months and was assigned to Troop A, Greensburg. He was survived by his father.