Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Campbell died from complications as the result of injuries sustained on May 26th, 1941, when was assaulted by a burglary suspect at 830 Third Street.
At 12:30 am Patrolman Campbell had received a phone call at the police station from a woman who stated her ex-husband was intoxicated and attempting to forcibly enter her apartment. Shortly after arriving at the scene, Patrolman Campbell discovered the subject near the apartment window. As he attempted to arrest the man a violent struggle ensued. Patrolman Campbell was able to subdue the man after struggling for several minutes.
Once he returned to the police station other officers noticed him as being "played out" and his uniform being dirty and torn. A doctor was sent to Patrolman Campbell's home where contusions were discovered on his left shoulder, arm, chest, and back. After a period of five weeks of rest at home, he entered the Veterans Hospital in Pittsburgh due to the doctor's recommendation. After being a patient at the Veterans Hospital for additional six weeks Patrolman Campbell's health returned sufficiently, he returned back home and work where he was given a desk job to avoid any exertion due to doctor's orders. On December 30th, 1941, while performing his normal duties at the police station Patrolman Campbell stated he was not feeling well and was ordered to go home by the mayor. While at his home in the early morning Patrolman Campbell suffered a fatal heart attack.
In July 1945 a workmen's compensation case determined that his heart attack was related to the original assault six months earlier. Testimony from the doctors who treated Patrolman Campbell stated that the myocardial damage he suffered in the fight played a role in his heart attack six months later.
The subject who was arrested eight previous times was never charged following the death of Patrolman Campbell.
Patrolman Campbell was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Oakmont Borough Police Department for 4-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-77A7290B- 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 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 Campbell gave the Oakmont Borough Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakmont community. Thank you 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
James Clark Campbell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James Clark Campbell 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. James Clark Campbell's cause is highlighted.
How James Clark Campbell Compares
Offender Outcome
No charges filed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Clark Campbell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Clark Campbell was killed by person; alcohol involved.