Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Thomas Guess was shot and killed by the former police chief, who had been arrested for public drunkenness. A citizen had helped subdue the suspect, who was taken to a cell at the city police department.
As Chief Guess attempted to search the prisoner the man produced a revolver that had been hidden in his sleeve, and shot him once in the head, killing him.
The man then ran from the scene but was captured after he was shot through his shoulder by a citizen. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on June 26, 1907. His sentence was commuted to life January 20, 1909. He was paroled on September 23, 1921.
Chief Guess had served as police chief for only seven months. He was survived by his wife and three children. He is buried in Fairchance Cemetery, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-341541C5- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Guess served with the Belle Vernon Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Belle Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Guess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Thomas L. Guess 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. Thomas L. Guess's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas L. Guess Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1921
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas L. Guess is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas L. Guess was killed by handgun; pistol.