Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Benjamin Yost was shot and killed in retaliation for a previous arrest he had made.
Patrolman Yost was on foot patrol when two men approached and shot him. He died from the wounds.
It was later discovered that Patrolman Yost was killed because he had previously arrested a member of a notorious gang know as the Order of the Molly Maguires. This group of local miners had assigned two men to murder Patrolman Yost following the arrest of one of the gang's members.
Ten men were later arrested and charged in connection with two murders, including Patrolman Yost's . All ten men were later executed.
Patrolman Yost had served in the Civil war. He is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Patrolman Yost was on foot patrol when two men approached and shot him. He died from the wounds.
It was later discovered that Patrolman Yost was killed because he had previously arrested a member of a notorious gang know as the Order of the Molly Maguires. This group of local miners had assigned two men to murder Patrolman Yost following the arrest of one of the gang's members.
Ten men were later arrested and charged in connection with two murders, including Patrolman Yost's . All ten men were later executed.
Rest in Peace, sir. Thank you for your service.
Deputy Chief J. Sims Matteson, IL Police Department August 4th, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-68075E65- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Yost served with the Tamaqua Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tamaqua 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
Benjamin Franklin Yost served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Benjamin Franklin Yost 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. Benjamin Franklin Yost's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Franklin Yost Compares
Offender Outcome
Ten executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Franklin Yost is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Franklin Yost was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.