Roll of Honor
James Frederick Pfeister
Incident
Chief of Police Fred Pfeister was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Chief Pfeister was a small town police chief for 25 years but instead of retiring, he gave up the title of chief and remained with the department as a part-time patrol officer. During the early morning hours, a car driven by a drunk driver struck and killed the former police chief as he neared the end of his patrol shift. The offender was a juvenile who was driving under the influence. Chief Pfeister was a U.S Army veteran of the Korean war and served in Law Enforcement for 28 years. He was survived by his wife. Chief Pfeister's wife was also the widow of Lieutenant Bill Wilt, who died in the line of duty on May 20th, 1980, while serving with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-4BB57468- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Pfeister gave the Cresson Borough Police Department 28 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cresson community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Frederick Pfeister served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police James Frederick Pfeister 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. James Frederick Pfeister's cause is highlighted.
How James Frederick Pfeister Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Frederick Pfeister is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Frederick Pfeister was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.