Joseph McHugh
Agency patch
Game Protector

Joseph McHugh

Pennsylvania Game Commission — Harrisburg, PA
Felonious
End of Watch November 7, 1915
The Vigil Panel 30 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Game Protector Joseph McHugh was shot and killed while searching the woods for poachers in Carbon County. The suspect in the case told the police that he had accidentally shot Game Protector McHugh while unloading his shotgun. The suspect was charged with murder and the district attorney was seeking the death penalty. The suspect was found not guilty at trial.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-FF646773
Stewardship
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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.
Game Protector McHugh served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector McHugh.

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

Agency

Location Harrisburg, PA
Platform Identity pgc.dauphin.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 7, 1915
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Acquitted

Game Protector Joseph McHugh 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 Game Commission, 5 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.7% of this agency's fallen.

Pennsylvania Game Commission
5
of 12 officers
41.7% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Joseph McHugh Compares

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph McHugh is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph McHugh was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518