Roll of Honor
John J. Ellis
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 15 years
Special Officer John Ellis was shot and killed at the West Philadelphia Station, at the intersection of 32nd and Market Streets, while confronting a drunk man who was causing a disturbance in the ladies' waiting room at 5:30 am.
Officer Ellis had only 10 minutes left on his shift when he was informed of the drunk man. He told the man he had to leave or that he would be arrested. As Officer Ellis turned to walk away the man produced a handgun and shot him in the back. Officer Ellis was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries approximately 15 minutes later. The subject was shot and wounded by a Philadelphia Police Department officer who witnessed the incident and taken into custody.
On April 9, 1919, the suspect, 23, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 years.
Officer Ellis was a U.S. Navy veteran.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 26th, 2020
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BO-US-RR-A3B64347- 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
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.
Special Officer Ellis served with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphpia community, 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. Ellis served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Special Officer John J. Ellis 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 Railroad Police Department, 13 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Ellis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Ellis is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Ellis was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
John J. Ellis served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit John J. Ellis’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
