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Incident
Chief Vernon Moses was shot and killed during a traffic stop of suspected bootleggers on Perrysville Avenue. During the 1930’s the John Maug Gang was terrorizing Allegheny County with a series of burglaries, armed robberies, and shootings of area police officers. During the evening of May 3, 1932 Ross Township Chief Moses was on patrol when he observed the Maug Gang driving on a local roadway. A vehicle pursuit ensued and Chief Moses was able to pull in front of and stop the Maug Gang’s vehicle at the site of the former Keating Trolley Car Barn located at the corner of Perrysville and Westview Avenues. Chief Moses pulled in front of the robber’s vehicle and exited his patrol car, service pistol and flash light in hand; as he engaged the driver and passengers of the vehicle, the suspects fired two shots at Chief Moses, striking him in the right shoulder and face. Chief Moses died at the scene as the suspects fled to the 22nd Street Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh where they threw their guns into the Monongahela River. Three suspects were apprehended and convicted of Chief Moses' murder and received sentences ranging from 40 to 120 years in prison. Two of the men escaped from the Western Penitentiary, along with a third inmate, on April 27, 1933. In May of 1933 the two men were arrested when they attempted to rob a Western Union Office in Lakewood, Colorado. They spent the rest of their lives in prison. Chief Moses had served with the Ross Township Police Department for 12 years.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Moses gave the Ross Township Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Moses.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vernon is the only officer of Ross Township Police Department remembered here.
Vernon is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Vernon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Vernon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 8 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Vernon was 42. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Vernon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Vernon was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Vernon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Vernon was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Vernon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ross Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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