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Incident
Policeman Patrick Costella and Deputy Sheriff Edward Schumacker, of the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, were killed in an automobile accident when their vehicle went off a 50-foot embankment at Chestunt Ridge on the Pittsburgh Road.
The two officers, along with a local justice of the peace and a female citizen, were returning from Burggettstown, Pennsylvania, where they had gone to search for a suspected who had robbed a pool room of $900 several days earlier. The justice of the peace and citizen both survived the crash.
Policeman Costella was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Policeman Costella was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Policeman Costella served with the Hollidays Cove Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Weirton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Costella.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Patrick is the only officer of Hollidays Cove Police Department remembered here.
Patrick is one of 54 officers lost to accidents in WV, 23.3% of the 232 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Patrick 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 1929, 2 officers in WV were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Patrick was 35. Of the 46 lost to accidents in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 33.5.
Patrick was 35. 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.
Patrick was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
September holds 13% of these deaths in WV; November holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 13%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hollidays Cove Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 23.3% of all 232 deaths in WV, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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