Woodrow E. Portzline
Incident
Land Management Officer Woodrow Portzline suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating reports of trespassing and poaching at a farm.
After speaking with the property owner, Officer Portzline was directed to a nearby vacant house where the suspects were believed to be hiding. As Officer Portzline quickly approached the home, he collapsed and died at the scene.
Officer Portzline was a United States Army Air Corps WWII veteran and United States Air Force veteran, earning the Purple Heart and Silver Star, who served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Land Management Officer Portzline gave the Pennsylvania Game Commission 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Woodrow E. Portzline served in the the United States military (1939â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Pennsylvania Game Commission has lost 12 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Woodrow is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Woodrow is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Woodrow is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1973, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1973, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Woodrow was 60. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Woodrow had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Woodrow was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Woodrow had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Woodrow was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Woodrow had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 15.3%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 12 deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Pennsylvania Game Commission has 12 officers remembered here, Woodrow among them.
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L. Seeley Houk
Mar 2, 1906
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Charles Beecham Nov 4, 1906
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Joseph McHugh
Nov 7, 1915
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Joseph H. Kalbfus
Aug 10, 1919
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Elias W. Kelly
Aug 10, 1919
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Darrell S. Solida Dec 6, 1931
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Walter M. Middleton Dec 1, 1935
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John B. Ross Jul 18, 1942
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Robert Earl Zimmerman
May 13, 1957
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Leroy Brown Stackhouse Sep 28, 1969
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Woodrow E. Portzline
Oct 24, 1973
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David Lynn Grove
Nov 11, 2010
Military Service
Woodrow E. Portzline served in the U.S. Air Force (1939–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Woodrow E. Portzline’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.





