Incident
Watchman Patrick Slevin succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier while approaching a group of men near the intersection of 10th Street and Catharine Street.
Watchman Slevin's Captain had held roll call in the area of 13th Street and Christian Street due to a suspicious fire of a horse stable and the fear there was going to be retaliation against a group of men who were causing crime in the area. After roll call, the Captain started to walk back to the city hall, believing there was going to be no retaliation. As he reached the area of 10th Street and Catharine Street he spotted a group of men near a hillside near a fenced-in area.
He was surrounded by the group of eight men who threatened him shoot him unless he turned around and left the area. Due to only being armed with his baton he left the area and met Watchman Slevin and another officer a couple of blocks away. As the three officers returned to the area multiple shots were fired from the group. Watchman Slevin was struck in the chest, and the Captain was struck twice in his leg.
Watchman Slevin was taken to his home where he succumbed to his gunshot wound three days later.
It is not known if anybody was ever captured and held officer Sleven's murder.
Watchman Sleven was survived by his wife, and two small children.
Survivors
Watchman Sleven was survived by his wife, and two small children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-166A807C- 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
176 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Slevin served with the Moyamensing Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman Patrick Slevin 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 Moyamensing Township Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Patrick Slevin's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick Slevin Compares
Offender Outcome
Never captured
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick Slevin is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick Slevin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Moyamensing Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.