Joseph Francis Gaetano

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 10, 1966

Age 36

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 11 mo

Badge 1344

The Vigil Panel 101 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 100

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Gaetano was shot and killed by a prisoner who gained control of his service revolver in the elevator of the Public Safety Building while transporting him from the Identification Section to the Number 1 cell block. The suspect was captured 90 minutes later. The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on March 17, 1968. As he was being transported from the Allegheny Jail to Western Penitentiary his wife slipped him a sawed-off shotgun. As officers subdued him the gun discharged, wounding a guard. On April 15, 1969, he received an additional 8 to 17 years for attempted escape. On May 8, 1969, his wife was sentenced to two years for aiding in his escape. The suspect applied for a parole in 1981. Patrolman Gaetano was a Korean war veteran and had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 12 years. He was assigned to the Public Safety Building.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-AB0FEE9C
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 Gaetano gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 11 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 10, 1966

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 11 mo

Age 36

Badge Number 1344

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Joseph Francis Gaetano served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Joseph Francis Gaetano 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 Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

of 101 officers

44.6% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious