Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Michael Peltz and Sergeant Ernest Johnson were shot after responding to a crazed man with a gun call on 4th Avenue. A man had barricaded himself on his back porch and was threatening to shoot people. In an exchange of gunfire with several officers, Sergeant Johnson was shot in the abdomen and died at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington. Two other officers were also wounded and the suspect was killed. Chief Peltz was transported to a local hospital where he died two days later. Chief Peltz was a U.S Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Arnold Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-18A54463- 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.
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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.
Chief of Police Peltz gave the Arnold Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arnold 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
Michael W. Peltz served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police Michael W. Peltz 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 Arnold Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael W. Peltz's cause is highlighted.
How Michael W. Peltz Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael W. Peltz is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael W. Peltz was killed by rifle; .30-.30.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Arnold Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
