Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Ellery Purnsley was shot and killed as he responded to the scene of the Market Street Massacre. He was approaching the building where the suspect was hiding after the man went on a shooting rampage. Detective Purnsley had served with the Chester City Police Department for 31 years. He was survived by his daughter, Isabelle Abrams Green, and his granddaughter, Virginia B. Abrams.
Survivors
He was survived by his daughter, Isabelle Abrams Green, and his granddaughter, Virginia B.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-F186275E- 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 Ellery. 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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Purnsley gave the Chester City Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Purnsley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Ellery Bertram Purnsley 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 Chester City Police Department, 8 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ellery Bertram Purnsley's cause is highlighted.
How Ellery Bertram Purnsley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ellery Bertram Purnsley is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ellery Bertram Purnsley was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Chester City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
