Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ralph Fox succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while and another officer attempted to question two subjects who had brought moonshine onto the property of the Vesta Coal Company near Brownsville.
Officer Fox and Officer Knapp had witnessed the two men carrying a five-gallon can of moonshine from a vehicle in an attempt to sell it on the property. They approached the subjects as they entered the coal company's property. Both men shot at the officers, striking Officer Knapp in the head, killing him, and striking Officer Fox in the shoulder, arm, and back as he lay on the ground. Both subjects fled the area through a railway. A posse was quickly organized after the shooting but failed to capture the men.
Officer Fox was rushed to a hospital in Brownsville where he fell unconsciousness after giving a license plate number of the vehicle that dropped off both subjects to investigators. The license number quickly led to the arrest of one suspect, age 31. He was convicted of one count of murder and sentenced to life. He applied for a commutation of his sentence on November 26, 1942, after his attorney convinced Governor Arthur H. James that he shot at the officers but the other suspect was their killer. He was released a few weeks later.
The second suspect, age 31, was arrested in New York in September of 1927 for the assault of a man during a card game. A month later he was sentenced to one year for the assault in West Chester Penitentiary under a false name. After he had served 58 days he escaped. A few days later he was shot and seriously wounded by police in Elizabeth, New Jersey, when he opened fire when they attempted to take him into custody. While in the hospital he took a turn for the worse and asked to see the police because he thought he was going to die. He told officials his real name and confessed that he was the murderer of Officer Fox and Officer Knapp. He recovered, was returned to Washington County, convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. On January 14, 1929, he was executed in the electric chair.
Officer Fox served with the Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department for seven years and previously served with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-8CB73C88- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Paul. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Fox gave the Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Paul Ralph Fox 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 Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Ralph Fox's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Ralph Fox Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1929
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Ralph Fox is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Ralph Fox was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
