Roll of Honor
Incident
Private John Downey was shot and killed while attempting to disperse a crowd of over 2,000 coal miners who were protesting the pending execution of a convicted criminal the following day. When the troopers used tear gas, someone in the crowed opened fire, fatally wounding Private Downey. Private Downey was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWI and had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-C4071323- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Private Downey gave the Pennsylvania State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John J. Downey served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Private John J. Downey 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 97,759 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 State Police, 34 of 87 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Downey's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Downey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Downey is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Downey was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
John J. Downey served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit John J. Downey’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
86 officers from Pennsylvania State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
