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Patrolman

John Sherba

Bell Acres Borough Police Department — Sewickley, PA

Felonious

End of Watch March 13, 1975

Age 61

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

The Vigil Panel 115 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman John Sherba was killed in an automobile accident caused by a hit-and-run driver on Big Sewickley Creek Road. The suspect had forced Patrolman Sherba's patrol car off the road and, as Patrolman Sherba attempted to regain control, his vehicle entered the roadway and collided with a cement truck. The driver of the car that caused the accident fled the scene but was later apprehended. Patrolman Sherba served with the Bell Acres Borough Police Department for 15 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-7222E53F
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.
Patrolman Sherba gave the Bell Acres Borough Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sewickley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sherba.

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

Agency

Department Bell Acres Borough Police Department

Location Sewickley, PA

Platform Identity babpd.allegheny.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 13, 1975

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 61

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Apprehended

Patrolman John Sherba 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%.

Bell Acres Borough Police Department

of 1 officers

100% 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. John Sherba'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 John Sherba Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Sherba is highlighted in Mar.

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. John Sherba was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518