Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward Conway was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a hold-up in progress call at a wholesale grocery store at 119 Dahlem Street in East Liberty. The officers were investigating a minor car crash at the intersection of Frankstown Avenue and Lincoln Avenue when they were both notified by a local citizen of the hold-up in progress. As Patrolman Conway entered a back room behind the store, he was shot three times in his chest, side, and arm. The store owner, who was being held up by the suspect in the back room, grabbed Patrolman Conway's weapon and returned fire as the suspect fled the scene but missed him. Patrolman Conway's partner arrested the second suspect in the front of the store as he was opening up the safe. Patrolman Conway was transported to Pittsburgh Hospital in a radio car where he died shortly after arrival. During questioning, the arrested suspect admitted the identity of the suspect who murdered Patrolman Conway and escaped. The shooting suspect was arrested while sleeping in his Brushton home on Singer Place by city police detectives several hours after the shooting of Patrolman Conway. Both suspects were on parole at the time of the incident. The second suspect pleaded guilty to murder on October 9, 1939, and testified against the other suspect. He was sentenced to life imprisonment at Western Penitentiary. Patrolman Conway's killer pleaded not guilty and was found guilty of first-degree murder after eyewitness testimony and physical evidence. The suspect was executed in the electric chair on January 29, 1940. While in prison, the second suspect maintained that he was unaware that he was pleading guilty to murder, that he was poorly represented by counsel, and that he was coerced into the robbery by Patrolman Conway's killer. In August 1960, the man's life sentence was commuted by the governor, and he was released from jail. The suspect filed for a post-conviction review of his guilty plea and was denied. The Pennsylvani
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- April 2, 2026
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- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Conway gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Conway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edward M. Conway is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward M. Conway's cause is highlighted.
How Edward M. Conway Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1940
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward M. Conway is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward M. Conway was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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