Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Coax and Deputy Warden John Pieper were shot and killed during an attempted prison escape at Western Penitentiary (modern-day SCI Pittsburgh). The escape attempt started when a gas main exploded near the prison's front gates. In the ensuing panic of the prisoners fleeing towards the prison's yard, a guard was disarmed. The inmates used the weapon to shoot and kill Deputy Warden Pieper and Sergeant Coax. Local police and deputies responded to the prison. They were able to prevent the escape and assist with bringing the situation under control. Five inmates were charged with first-degree murder. Two were acquitted. Each of the other three was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder. One received the death penalty and was executed on December 27th, 1926. Sergeant Coax had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for two years. He was survived by his expectant wife, daughter, son, father, mother, and two sisters. His second daughter was born a few months later.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, daughter, son, father, mother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-F4B3A3E6- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Coax gave the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Coax.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John Taylor Coax 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 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. John Taylor Coax's cause is highlighted.
How John Taylor Coax Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1926
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Taylor Coax is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Taylor Coax was killed by officer's weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Pennsylvania Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
