Otto Fink

Johnstown Police Department — Johnstown, PA

Felonious

End of Watch November 2, 1923

Age 48

The Vigil Panel 46 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

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: 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.
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

Department Johnstown Police Department

Location Johnstown, PA

Platform Identity jpd.cambria.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 2, 1923

Age 48

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Captain Otto Fink 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 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.

Johnstown Police Department

of 9 officers

44.4% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious