Roll of Honor
P. Joseph Deeghan
Incident
Constable Joseph Deeghan was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to arrest a suspect for making threats against citizens. When the constables approached the suspect's home, he greeted them cordially and requested that they come in to read the arrest warrant to him. The light in the room was intentionally dim, and, as the constable struggled to read the warrant by the fire light, the suspect's wife feigned hysteria and left the room. She secreted two revolvers on her person and passed one to her husband when she returned. The couple then opened fire on the constables, striking Constable Deeghan three times and wounding the other two constables. The suspects fled the home after the shooting. The female suspect was captured only days after the incident, but the male suspect managed to escape the posse sent to capture him. Constable Deeghan had served with the Pennsylvania State Constable - Clinton County for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and six brothers.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-62BF07C3- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Deeghan gave the Pennsylvania State Constable 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lock Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Deeghan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable P. Joseph Deeghan 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. P. Joseph Deeghan's cause is highlighted.
How P. Joseph Deeghan Compares
Offender Outcome
One Apprehended; One Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. P. Joseph Deeghan is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. P. Joseph Deeghan was killed by handgun; revolver.