Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward Holmes succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on August 30th, 1865, when he was shot in the abdomen by a man whom he had attempted to serve a warrant on.
He had been given a warrant to serve on the subject, who had stolen luggage from a local hotel the previous day. The man resisted arrest when Patrolman Holmes attempted to arrest him and a struggle ensued. Several of the man's friends then interfered with the arrest and were able to help the man escape.
Patrolman Holmes obtained additional warrants for the man and his friends for resisting arrest. When the subject learned of the additional warrants he purchased a revolver. Later that evening Patrolman Holmes and another officer located the man at Fends Cellar, on Main Street, and again attempted to arrest him. The man again resisted arrest and then shot Patrolman Holmes in the abdomen before fleeing.
The man was arrested the following day.
Patrolman Holmes was taken to his home where his condition deteriorated until he passed away on September 23rd, 1865.
The subject was convicted of larceny and murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Patrolman Holmes had been appointed to the Johnstown Police Department the day before being shot.
Patrolman Edward Holmes succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on August 30th, 1865, when he was shot in the abdomen by a man whom he had attempted to serve a warrant on.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-FB11514D- Stewardship
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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
161 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Holmes served with the Johnstown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edward Holmes is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Johnstown Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Holmes's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Holmes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Holmes is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Holmes was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
