Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Timmons was killed when he was struck by an automobile on East Ohio Street at the 31st Street Bridge. He and his partner had just gone on duty 25 minutes earlier and had stopped at red light while starting their patrol. Patrolman Timmons exited their patrol car to walk across the street when he was struck by an oncoming car that was traveling at an estimated 70 mph. He was dragged along a steel fence for over 30 feet before being thrown over a bridge railing onto railroad tracks 50 feet below. The subject that struck Patrolman Timmons was charged with Manslaughter in April 1955. In November 1955, a jury was discharged after not coming up with a verdict. Patrolman Timmons was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and served with the Allegheny County Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, father, six brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-1903D914- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Patrolman Timmons gave the Allegheny County Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh 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 William Timmons served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John William Timmons is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 417 of 1,261 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Allegheny County Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John William Timmons's cause is highlighted.
How John William Timmons Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John William Timmons is highlighted in Mar.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Allegheny County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
