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
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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 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Erie Police Department has lost 14 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1918, 5 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
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.
In 1918, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 38. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
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.
Joseph was 38. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.6% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 21.4% of all 14 deaths at Erie Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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
Erie Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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James Higgins
May 14, 1905
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John T. Grant
Nov 22, 1912
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George William Schneider Oct 13, 1918
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Joseph John Jurcak Oct 16, 1918
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Richard V. Mahoney
Oct 31, 1928
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Leo Jonas Waldinger
Nov 26, 1949
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Walter Rynold May
Nov 30, 1949
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Samuel Angelo Macrino
Apr 8, 1962
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Melvin LeRoy Wilcox
May 4, 1979
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Robert Glen Owen
Dec 29, 1980
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Donald William Parker, Jr.
May 23, 1985
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Richard John Burchick
Feb 6, 1991
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Jason Michael Belton
Oct 24, 2021
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Gary Robert Taccone
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Erie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.











