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Incident
Keeper James Gastin was beaten to death by an insane inmate in the Eastern State Penitentiary.
The inmate had become irate inside of his cell after being refused recreation time. Keeper Gastin entered the cell to try to quiet the inmate, but the man attacked him with a floorboard that he had pulled from the floor. He beat Keeper Gastin with the floorboard and repeatedly stomped on him. The inmate then put on Keeper Gastin's clothes and attempted to escape.
Another keeper recognized the inmate and, with the help of other officers, was able to subdue him and put him into a cell.
The inmate confessed to murdering Keeper Gastin and also to previously murdering his own father.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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182 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Keeper Gastin served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1844, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1844, 2 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1844, 6 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 179th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1844, 11 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 177th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 40. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 52; the middle age was 40.
James was 40. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
James was 40. 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.
James was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.7% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections; February holds the most, 23.1%. Thursdays: 7.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; lumber, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; lumber, in 0.3% 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 blunt object; lumber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; lumber, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Gastin Oct 31, 1844
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Michael Doran May 31, 1884
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James A. Bloomer Mar 25, 1892
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John Taylor Coax
Feb 11, 1924
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John August Pieper
Feb 11, 1924
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Edwin H. Lichtenberger Jul 17, 1944
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Charles Robert Elder
Aug 9, 1954
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Clifford Joseph Grogan, SR
Nov 12, 1965
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Steven Phillip Ary Sr.
Sep 16, 1973
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Walter Lee Peterson
Dec 10, 1973
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Edward L. Boyer Jun 5, 1977
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Felix Mokychic
Mar 20, 1979
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Francis William Wilt, Jr.
May 20, 1980
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David Hiram Bowser, Jr.
Nov 13, 2002
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David Michael Weaver
Sep 26, 2016
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Mark James Baserman
Feb 26, 2018
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Mark Anthony Gaspich
Oct 10, 2018
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Timothy Luke Prough
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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