Patrolman

Joseph John Jurcak

Erie Police Department — Erie, PA
Accident
End of Watch October 16, 1918
Age 38
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 2 mo
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Jurcak was struck and killed by a switch engine at the Pennsylvania Railroad crossing on 12th Street while making his rounds.

He had checked in by pulling on a callbox at 15th Street and Ash Street at 12:56 am, but failed to check in again at 2:00 am. His body was located by a railroad worker at approximately 5:30 am. It is believed that he accidentally stepped in front of the switch engine, which was following a train leaving the rail yards.

Patrolman Jurcak served with the Erie Police Department for two years and was survived by his wife, mother, and brother.

Survivors

Patrolman Jurcak served with the Erie Police Department for two years and was survived by his wife, mother, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnw9k4rbtysda14xx45f
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Jurcak gave the Erie Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Erie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Jurcak.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Erie, Erie County, PA
Platform Identity epd.erie.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 16, 1918
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 2 mo
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1918, 39 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 38. 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. Joseph had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Erie Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman Joseph John Jurcak

Erie Police Department · End of Watch October 16, 1918

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W

↑