Frank A. Sankey
Agency patch
Police Officer

Frank A. Sankey

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
End of Watch September 18, 1914
Age 32
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 8 mo
Badge 2945
The Vigil Panel 29 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Frank Sankey was shot and killed near the corner of 56th Street and Vine Street by a man he ordered to leave the area who was causing a disturbance. The suspect drew a revolver, and shot Policeman Sankey in the stomach. The suspect fled to his rooftop where he was apprehended. On January 6, 1915, the suspect, 38, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died in prison on May 5, 1919. Officer Sankey served with the Philadelphia Police Department for less than four years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-717DE909
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.
Police Officer Sankey gave the Philadelphia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sankey.

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

Agency

Location Philadelphia, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 18, 1914
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 8 mo
Age 32
Badge Number 2945
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Died in prison

Police Officer Frank A. Sankey 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 Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department
162
of 378 officers
42.9% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank A. Sankey's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Frank A. Sankey Compares

Age at End of Watch
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3.7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank A. Sankey is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank A. Sankey was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location