Roll of Honor
Incident
Private John Dargus was shot and killed by a suspect wanted for murder in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Private Dargus and other officers pursued the suspect across the state line to a home on Chestnut Street in Struthers, Ohio. Private Dargus was given permission to enter the home by the home owner. As he ascended the stairs to the second floor where the suspect was hiding, he was shot twice by the suspect and killed instantly. The suspect was captured in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 27th, 1918, and returned to Ohio one week later. He was convicted of Private Dargus' murder and sentenced to death at the Ohio Penitentiary December 10th, 1918. His sentence was later commuted to life. He applied for a parole on February 21, 1940. The result is unknown, but it was understood if he did get paroled he was to be returned to Pennsylvania to stand trial for the murder he committed there. Private Dargus had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for eight months and was assigned to Troop A, Greensburg.
Survivors
He was survived by his father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-575C0C9C- 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.
Private Dargus served with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Dargus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private John Francis Dargus 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 Pennsylvania State Police, 34 of 87 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Francis Dargus's cause is highlighted.
How John Francis Dargus Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Francis Dargus is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Francis Dargus was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
86 officers from Pennsylvania State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
