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Incident
Lieutenant Joseph Rafay suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a suspect at the scene of a disturbance at a bar in the 700 block of East Railroad Street shortly before 10:30 pm. Lieutenant Rafay, another officer, and the suspect fell to the ground during the struggle as they were escorting the suspect outside. When Lieutenant Rafay stood back up, he collapsed. He was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was pronounced dead. Lieutenant Rafay was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Verona Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joseph 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.
Lieutenant Rafay gave the Verona Borough Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Verona community, 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
Joseph Rafay Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Verona Borough Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Joseph is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 2 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1967, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1967, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 54. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 11% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.3%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.5%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Verona Borough Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Verona Borough Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Military Service
Joseph Rafay Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Rafay Jr.’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 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Verona Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
