Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Pliny Wells was stabbed to death as he and another deputy tried to execute an arrest warrant in Robinson Township.
He and another deputy became separated as they approached the suspect's farm. While approaching the farm Deputy Wells spotted the subject in a cornfield and attempted to arrest him. During the arrest, a scuffle ensued and Deputy Wells was stabbed multiple times in his chest. Deputy Wells' partner managed to arrest the subject and was attempting to walk the prisoner to jail in Pittsburgh when the prisoner attacked him and managed to escape.
It is unknown whether the prisoner was ever recaptured or tried.
Deputy Sheriff Wells was deputized to assist the sheriff's office in the arrest after local constables refused to serve the warrant due to the subject's threats.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-25471953- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute - 1 candle.
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Tributes
188 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wells served with the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Pliny D. Wells 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 Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Pliny D. Wells's cause is highlighted.
How Pliny D. Wells Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Pliny D. Wells is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Pliny D. Wells was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Allegheny County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
