Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Elmer Findley was shot and instantly killed by an 18-year-old man he had caught in the act of breaking and entering a store at Fourth Street and Commerce Street. Another policeman was shot in the arm by the subject, who was later captured.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison February 27th, 1893.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-F24AB76B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Findley gave the Philadelphia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Elmer E. Findley 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 Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer E. Findley's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer E. Findley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 12 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer E. Findley is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer E. Findley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
