Joseph Henry Bossert
Agency patch
Patrolman

Joseph Henry Bossert

Felonious
End of Watch January 29, 1921
Age 44
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 40 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Bossert was shot and killed while walking his beat on 11th Street, in West Jeanette.

He was standing outside of a boarding house known to be used for gambling when a shot was fired through the front door. The round struck Patrolman Bossert in the chest, kililng him. The subject who fired the shot turned himself in a short time later.

Patrolman Bossert had served with the Jeanette Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried in Jeannette Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-17E5D1F4
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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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bossert gave the Jeannette City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jeannette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bossert.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Jeannette, Westmoreland County, PA
Platform Identity jpd.westmoreland.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 29, 1921
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Patrolman Joseph Henry Bossert 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 97,772 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 Jeannette City Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Jeannette City Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Henry Bossert's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Joseph Henry Bossert Compares

Age at Death
44
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Henry Bossert is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Henry Bossert was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Jeannette City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.