Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain John Fink died from gunshot wounds sustained in a riot in the city's Rosedale section. Three other officers were also killed as a result of wounds sustained in the riot. Special Officer Joseph Abrahams and Detective John James of the Cambria County District Attorney's Office were shot and killed on the day of the riot. Detective Otto Nukem, also of the Johnstown Police Department, died on September 12th, 1923, from wounds sustained during the riot. The officers were attempting to stop a disturbance involving several men when one, crazed from drinking moonshine, opened fire with a revolver. Other officers arriving on the scene shot and killed the suspect.
Survivors
Captain Fink was survived by his wife, four sons, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-9E3C2399- 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.
Captain Fink served with the Johnstown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Fink.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Otto Fink 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 Johnstown Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Otto Fink's cause is highlighted.
How Otto Fink Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otto Fink is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otto Fink was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
