Roll of Honor
Martin F. Windt
Incident
Constable Martin Windt was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for disorderly conduct in West Homestead.
The 19-year-old subject had been involved in an argument with his parents and was speaking with his friends when Constable Windt located him and asked to speak with him. The subject took a few steps back, drew his weapon, and fired several shots. Constable Windt was struck in the head and abdomen. He was taken to Homestead Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after midnight.
The youth fled to his girlfriend's home where he shot and killed her mother when she refused to let him in. He then shot and killed a neighbor who went to see what was happening when he heard the shot. He then fled into the nearby woods pursued by a posse. He was able to escape the posse and remained at large until March 17, 1920, when he was arrested in Youngstown, Ohio. A returned war veteran who knew him recognized him and informed police.
On June 19, 1920, the suspect, now 26, was convicted of Constable Windt's murder and sentenced to 15 to 19 years. He was never tried for the other two murders. His parole was denied on December 21, 1925.
Constable Windt also served as a detective with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department. He was survived by his wife. His mother, so grief stricken after he died, committed suicide.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-A1E0BF51- 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.
Constable Windt served with the Pennsylvania State Constable.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Windt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Martin F. Windt 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 Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, 10 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin F. Windt's cause is highlighted.
How Martin F. Windt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin F. Windt is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin F. Windt was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County are honored on badge.nw.
