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Incident
Game Protector John Ross drowned when his boat capsized while attempting to rescue citizens of Port Allegany during a severe flood of the Allegheny River. The boat that Game Protector Ross was riding in struck debris in the river and broke a propeller pin. The boat then overturned, throwing him and the other three occupants into the river. Game Protector Ross, who did not know how to swim, was unable to hold onto the boat and drowned. The other three men were rescued.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector Ross served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Ross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania Game Commission has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1942, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Game Commission was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1942, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission; August holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 20%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 14.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, 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 Game Commission has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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L. Seeley Houk
Mar 2, 1906
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Charles Beecham Nov 4, 1906
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Joseph McHugh
Nov 7, 1915
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Joseph H. Kalbfus
Aug 10, 1919
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Elias W. Kelly
Aug 10, 1919
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Darrell S. Solida Dec 6, 1931
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Walter M. Middleton Dec 1, 1935
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John B. Ross Jul 18, 1942
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Robert Earl Zimmerman
May 13, 1957
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Leroy Brown Stackhouse Sep 28, 1969
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Woodrow E. Portzline
Oct 24, 1973
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David Lynn Grove
Nov 11, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.
