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Incident
Sergeant Joe Champion was killed in an automobile crash while on patrol in Middlesex Township, Butler County. Another vehicle struck his patrol car. He succumbed to his injuries two days later. Sergeant Champion had served with the U.S Marine Corps and with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol for almost 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joe. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Joe is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Champion gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joe B. Champion served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has lost 18 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Joe is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joe is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joe is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 2 officers at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 3.
In 1936, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1936, 97 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joe was 36. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 22.5 and 31.5; the middle age was 25. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 1.2 years.
Joe was 36. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Joe was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 36. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 20%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 55.6% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has 18 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
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Martin Aloysius Hanahoe
Feb 27, 1927
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Vincent Alphonso Hassen
Dec 27, 1927
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Sharon C. Wible
Feb 6, 1928
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Andrew W. Miller
Apr 1, 1928
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James Fenton Proof
Aug 29, 1928
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Russell Theodore Swanson
Apr 19, 1929
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Wells Cortright Hammond
Oct 14, 1929
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Brady Clemens Paul
Dec 27, 1929
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Thomas E. Lawry
Jan 31, 1930
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Arthur Allen Koppenhaver
Jul 13, 1930
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Thomas Barnett Elder Mar 22, 1931
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Orville A. Mohring
Dec 11, 1931
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Joseph A. Conrad
Sep 6, 1932
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Charles Edward Householder, Jr.
Aug 19, 1933
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Herbert Paul Brantlinger
Sep 3, 1933
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Joseph L. Fulton
Jun 4, 1936
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Joe B. Champion
Jul 15, 1936
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J. Lee Clarke
Mar 1, 1937
Where
Military Service
Joe B. Champion served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joe B. Champion’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
