Incident
Corporal Lawry was killed when a reckless driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road struck his patrol motorcycle. The suspect was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Survivors
Corporal Lawry was a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard and had served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol for six and a half years and was survived by his mother.
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.
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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.
Corporal Lawry gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 3 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
Thomas E. Lawry served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has lost 18 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1930, 1 officer at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1930, 6 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 24. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 27; the middle age was 24.5. Thomas had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 2.3 years.
Thomas was 24. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 24. 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. Thomas had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 12.5% of these deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 50%.
January holds 6.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 62.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has 18 officers remembered here, Thomas 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
Thomas E. Lawry served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas E. Lawry’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 11-E
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.














