Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Richard Hugh O'Hara

Midland Borough Police Department — Midland, PA

Felonious

End of Watch March 19, 1923

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 44 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Richard O'Hara was shot and killed after responding to a call regarding a man with a gun at a local pool hall. The man had been drinking in the pool hall earlier at night and left after another patron refused to give him money. The suspect returned with a gun and threatened several patrons. As Patrolman O'Hara tried to arrest the man, he suddenly turned and opened fire, striking the officer. Despite being severely wounded, Patrolman O'Hara returned fire and killed the suspect. Patrolman O'Hara succumbed to his wounds two days later.

Survivors

Patrolman O'Hara was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-F11B0F71
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.
Patrolman O'Hara served with the Midland Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Midland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Hara.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Midland Borough Police Department

Location Midland, PA

Platform Identity midlpd.washington.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 19, 1923

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Richard Hugh O'Hara 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 Midland Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Midland Borough Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Hugh O'Hara's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Richard Hugh O'Hara Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Hugh O'Hara is highlighted in Mar.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Hugh O'Hara was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Midland Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.