Prev
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Incident Date: Tuesday, April 7, 1931 Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber Offender: Guilty of second-degree murder
Captain John Holt succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on April 7th, 1931, while confronting several trespassers on Erie Railroad property along the Perry Highway one mile south of Meadville, Pennsylvania.
He had taken the day off to celebrate his birthday when he was called by headquarters and informed of the trespassers in a hobo encampment. He went alone to tell the men to move along but was attacked and disarmed. One of the men shot him with a .45 caliber pistol before they all fled. Captain Holt was able to crawl to the nearby highway where he was picked up by a citizen and taken to a local hospital.
His condition worsened and he died on April 15th, 1931.
Several men were arrested. One was charged with Captain Holt's killing and was sentenced to 8 to 16 years for second-degree murder in Western Penitentiary.
Captain Holt was survived by his wife and four sons.
Survivors
Captain Holt was survived by his wife and four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp0rfptwm07dtn3j999h- 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 John. 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.
Captain Holt served with the Erie Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Holt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Erie Railroad Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1931, 1 officer at Erie Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1912, with 2.
In 1931, 11 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Erie Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 41.5 and 44.8; the middle age was 43.5.
John was 43. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
John was 43. 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.
John was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 25% of these deaths at Erie Railroad Police Department; December holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 50%.
April holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Erie Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Erie Railroad Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Andrew J. Craw
Dec 11, 1912
-
Thomas Mallory
Dec 11, 1912
-
Herbert Vreeland Feb 25, 1916
-
Leroy Wise Sep 21, 1916
-
John Miller Jun 13, 1917
-
Howard Snyder Feb 16, 1918
-
Charles A. Lowery, Jr. Apr 10, 1919
-
George Harper Jan 6, 1922
-
Frank Russell Shea Oct 10, 1924
-
Charles William Bound
Aug 27, 1927
-
John W. Holt
Apr 15, 1931
-
William S. Ford Jul 30, 1935
-
Joseph Koning
Feb 28, 1942
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Erie Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
