Edwin H. Lichtenberger

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections — Mechanicsburg, PA

Felonious

End of Watch July 17, 1944

Age 34

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 17

Incident

Guard Edwin Lichtenberger was murdered inside the Eastern State Penitentiary during an escape attempt by an inmate.

The inmate had planned an elaborate escape for months and had made several homemade weapons, 40-feet of rope, and several incendiary devices that he had planned to ignite as a diversion. He had picked the lock on his cell door and was preparing to set off the incendiary devices when he was unexpectedly interrupted by Guard Lichtenberger.

Using a homemade hatchet, the inmate attacked Guard Lichtenberger and struck him on the head several times, causing severe injuries. He again attempted to ignite the devices, but when they failed, he committed suicide by stabbing himself with a shank.

Guard Lichtenberger was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Guard Lichtenberger was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Survivors

Guard Lichtenberger was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-26D64F0F
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Lichtenberger served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Lichtenberger.

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

Agency

Department Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Type Corrections

Location Mechanicsburg, PA

Platform Identity pdcorr.cumberland.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1944

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Edged weapon; Hatchet

Guard Edwin H. Lichtenberger is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 6.6 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.

At Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 13 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.2% of this agency's fallen.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

of 18 officers

72.2% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious