Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Friday, April 12, 1901
Add to My HeroesPatrick Edward Fitzgerald
Detective Patrick Fitzgerald was shot and killed while investigating a robbery and murder of a grocery store owner which had occurred earlier in the morning in the Mount Washington section of the city.
He and other detectives identified multiple suspects through informants and went to their boarding house at 32 Fulton Street, Allegheny City (present-day North Side). While at the scene Detective Fitzgerald was shot and killed as he and other officers entered the room. After a brief shootout inside the room, three suspects, two of whom were brothers, were arrested and charged with the murder of the grocer.
In June 1901, during the trial, all three suspects were implicated in 27 burglaries that had occurred in Pittsburgh since the beginning of the year. All three suspects were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in the murder of the grocer. One of the suspects' death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment for his earlier testimony against the brothers during the trial.
On January 30th, 1902, shortly before their execution date the two suspects escaped from the Allegheny County Jail with the help of the warden's wife, who had smuggled them hacksaws and guns. The suspects were located by a posse two days later near Butler, Pennsylvania. As the posse closed in on them a shootout ensued and both suspects were shot and killed. During the shootout, both suspects attempted suicide. The warden's wife also attempted suicide but survived and was charged in connection with the escape.
Detective Fitzgerald had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 24 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsNo passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
April 12, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Sean Sluganski
McKeesport Police Department, PA
EOW: February 6, 2023

Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: November 13, 2022

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023

Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023