Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden Thomas McCrea was killed when a prisoner he was transporting to prison by train attacked him and pulled him from the moving train approximately 11 miles outside of Pittsburgh.
Warden McCrea and a deputy were transporting several prisoners from the Erie County Jail to the Western Penitentiary, in Pittsburgh, when one of the prisoners was able to slip from his handcuffs. Warden McCrea attempted to restrain the prisoner, but when the prisoner jumped from the moving train, he grabbed a hold of Warden McCrea and pulled him from the train car. The inmate landed on top of Warden McCrea, killing him.
The inmate was seriously injured from the fall and was unable to escape. He was taken back into custody without any incident and later charged with murder.
Warden McCrea was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Warden McCrea was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-B8758A59- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden McCrea served with the Erie County Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden Thomas E. McCrea 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas E. McCrea's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas E. McCrea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas E. McCrea is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas E. McCrea was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Erie County Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.