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Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Weapon: Train Offender: Unidentified
Lieutenant John Morley was killed in a train collision after a string of rail cars he was protecting was intentionally set free during a coal mine strike in High House, Pennsylvania.
He and a Pennsylvania State Police trooper were on a caboose that was attached to seven loaded coke cars. Striking miners had attempted to release coke cars at the same location on two previous nights. The cars were successfully released and traveled approximately 3-1/2 miles before crashing into a string of freight cars that were parked on the tracks at the Leckrone freight station.
Lieutenant Morley and the trooper both attempted to stop the cars using handbrakes but were unsuccessful. The trooper was critically injured as a result of the crash.
Lieutenant Morley was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Lieutenant Morley 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.
Lieutenant Morley served with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Morley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has lost 22 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 141 officers lost to accidents in MD, 37.3% of the 378 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 1922, 4 officers at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 4 officers in MD were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 88 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 6.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 37. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 42.8; the middle age was 36.
John was 37. Of the 133 lost to accidents in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 42; the middle age was 33.
John was 37. 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.
John was 37. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
April holds 37.5% of these deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 12.5%.
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in MD; October holds the most, 15.6%. Sundays: 17.7%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36.4% of all 22 deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was train, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 378 deaths in MD, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was train, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was train, in 0% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was train, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Thomas Madden Nov 14, 1911
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Elijah Newton Boileau Feb 24, 1915
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Walter Starrett
Dec 24, 1917
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George C. Slavens
Apr 30, 1919
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Alonzo C. Speece Aug 23, 1919
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Lawrance Joseph Beers
Dec 11, 1919
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Benjamin Kohut Apr 15, 1920
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John D. Earle
Oct 5, 1920
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Thomas C. Barnard
Jun 1, 1921
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William Lynn Freeland Aug 18, 1921
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John P. Archer Jan 19, 1922
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Earl Shull
Apr 10, 1922
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John W. Morley Apr 16, 1922
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John W. Foy Apr 29, 1922
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Harry A. Malone Aug 16, 1925
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Urmson Leroy Strayer Jul 8, 1927
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Alfred Knight
Sep 15, 1927
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Horace C. Williams Oct 11, 1930
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Joseph L. O'Brien
Oct 30, 1932
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Lloyd C. Utz Sep 7, 1934
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Albert A. Sutter
Feb 8, 1950
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Dexter B. Snow May 27, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
