Roll of Honor
Incident
Keeper James Gastin was beaten to death by an insane inmate in the Eastern State Penitentiary.
The inmate had become irate inside of his cell after being refused recreation time. Keeper Gastin entered the cell to try to quiet the inmate, but the man attacked him with a floorboard that he had pulled from the floor. He beat Keeper Gastin with the floorboard and repeatedly stomped on him. The inmate then put on Keeper Gastin's clothes and attempted to escape.
Another keeper recognized the inmate and, with the help of other officers, was able to subdue him and put him into a cell.
The inmate confessed to murdering Keeper Gastin and also to previously murdering his own father.
It has been 180 years since your brutal death. Time has not diminished your bravery for entering that cell. Please be assured that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Keeper Gastin.
Elizabeth Haugen Mosqueda. Widow of Deputy Michael Haugen. Riverside County Sheriffs Department October 31st, 2024
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-EA11BBF1- 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
182 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Keeper Gastin served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Keeper James Gastin 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 Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 13 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Gastin's cause is highlighted.
How James Gastin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Gastin is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Gastin was killed by blunt object; lumber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Pennsylvania Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
