Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Patrick Rafferty was shot and killed inside of the Jermyn No. 2 mine near Old Forge, Pennsylvania.
A drunk mine worker had threatened other miners with a revolver and then entered the mine's engine room, where he held two employees hostage. During the incident the subject accidentally knocked over an oil lamp and started a fire inside of the mine. A mine firefighter who was unaware of the situation entered the engine room and put out the fire before being taken hostage too.
The firefighter was able to sound the mine's emergency whistle, alerting the surrounding townspeople. Officer Rafferty and a second officer responded to the mine to investigate why the whistle was sounded and were informed of the hostage situation. As they entered the engine room the subject inside opened fire on them striking Officer Rafferty in the side. The other officers and hostages tackled the subject and took him into custody.
As they removed the man from the mine the angry citizens attempted to lynch him, but their efforts were thwarted when additional officers arrived and took him to the county jail.
Officer Rafferty was survived by his wife and children.
Survivors
Officer Rafferty was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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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
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Police Officer Rafferty served with the Old Forge Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Old Forge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Patrick Rafferty 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick Rafferty's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick Rafferty Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick Rafferty is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick Rafferty was killed by handgun.