Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Hughes responded to a grocery store robbery at 10 Emmett Street and was interviewing victims inside when someone ran in and stated he had seen the three suspects on Centre Avenue. Patrolman Hughes overtook the subjects at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Francis Street. During the ensuing gun battle, Patrolman Hughes was shot six times. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Passavant Hospital. On May 29, 1930, two of the three suspects were arrested by police in connection to the shooting death of Patrolman Hughes and the robbery of the grocery store. Both suspects admitted too participating in the robbery and shooting of Patrolman Hughes and gave confessions. On November 21, 1930, both suspects pleaded guilty to robbery and homicide and were both given life sentences. It is unknown if the third suspect was ever apprehended. Patrolman Hughes had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 23 years and was assigned to the Centre Avenue Police Station, present day Zone 2 Police Station Hill District.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-D6650190- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Hughes gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Edward Hughes 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. James Edward Hughes's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward Hughes Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to Life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Hughes is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Hughes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
100 officers from Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
