Prev
Incident
Constable Lester Lanning and the justice of the peace were killed when they were struck in the back of the head with an axe while searching for a mentally disturbed man. The man then shot and killed himself. The man attacked them in the cellar of a house on the Greenville-Jamestown Road. Constable Lanning had served with the Pennsylvania State Constable - Mercer County eight ears. He was survived by his wife and child. Hehad just been elected to his third term as Constable for Greenville.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn2acaq2a42n193hsf1n- Stewardship
- 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 Lester. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Lanning gave the Pennsylvania State Constable 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mercer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Lanning.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lester is the only officer of Pennsylvania State Constable - Mercer County remembered here.
Lester is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Lester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lester is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lester was 68. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Lester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lester was 68. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lester was 68. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lester had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Mercer County. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Mercer County are honored on badge.nw.