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Incident
Patrolman Edward Shay was struck and killed by a train at the intersection of 16th Street and Kentucky Street (modern day 3rd Street) in San Francisco, California.
He was patrolling the Southern Pacific rail yards looking for boxcar thieves. He was standing on one track searching an outbound train. He did not observe an oncoming string of cars being pushed by a switch engine on the track he was standing on. He was struck and run over by the cars.
Patrolman Shay had served with the Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Shay gave the Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Shay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 23 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Edward is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Edward is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward 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 1909, 1 officer at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1909, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1909, 24 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 119th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1909, 32 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 119th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Edward was 40. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 40; the middle age was 40. Edward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Edward was 40. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Edward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 40. 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. Edward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 40. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Edward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 25% of these deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 34.8% of all 23 deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Samuel S. Leffler Nov 29, 1891
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Lenard Harris
May 16, 1894
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John Luckie Elsberry
Aug 16, 1895
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John Thomas Montague Jan 5, 1905
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Edward Shay Jul 13, 1909
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Joel Robert Dubose Sep 5, 1910
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James Jebty Pipes
Oct 2, 1911
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M. A. Moore Aug 30, 1912
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Scott Percy Yolton
Jan 6, 1918
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Edward Baker Sep 15, 1920
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James Nathaniel Malone
Jul 8, 1924
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Eveleigh Bollman Bates
Nov 8, 1924
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Printess Jackson Varnon
Mar 7, 1928
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George Durst Farmer
Jan 19, 1929
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William M. Schuldt Jul 2, 1930
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Henry Clyde Hatcher
Sep 23, 1931
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Lester E. Roland Aug 23, 1934
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John Baptist Bradberry Mar 16, 1935
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Jose Sancedo Aug 11, 1937
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Owen McManus
Mar 31, 1938
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George Richard Kebort Jul 8, 1949
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Oliver Columbus Grems
Apr 23, 1955
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Brice Leon Woody
Jul 23, 1965
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
