Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Herbert Brantlinger was shot and killed while investigating a gasoline theft which was in-progress at a service station on U.S. Route 19 in South Fayette Township. As he dismounted his motorcycle he was struck with rifle fire. Almost three weeks later a 19-year-old youth drove into the parking lot of the sheriff's office in Carlyle, Illinois. He told a deputy he was broke and needed help. The deputy began questioning the youth when he noticed a large knife in his car. The youth grabbed the deputies' service revolver and shot him in the arm. As he struggled with the youth several other deputies came to his aid and the youth was taken into custody. As the deputies searched the car, somehow the youth slipped out of a window inside the sheriffs office and escaped. A short distance away he forced a man, his wife, and their child from their car and stole it. He went to Kansas City and asked a pedestrian for directions. He noticed blood on the boy from the struggle with the deputy. He called the police and he was arrested minutes later as he tried to steal gas for his car. Taken back to Carlyle, Pennsylvania State Police were waiting because of information received that he was Patrolman Brantlinger's murderer. They questioned him but left because they could not get enough information. He was convicted of several charges in Carlyle and sent to the Illinois Penitentiary. After a week in prison the suspect received a new cell mate. After a few days his cell mate who was a Pennsylvania State Trooper had the evidence needed for a murder charge. The suspect was transported back to jail in Carlyle. On March 2, 1934, extradition papers were being prepared when he escaped, stole a bicycle, and peddled his way to Centralia, Missouri, where he was captured four days later. Three days later he was back in Pennsylvania. On May 4, 1934, he was acquitted of Patrolman Brantlinger's murder. Even though a rifle found in the suspect's car was proven to be the murder weapon, his fat
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Brantlinger gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Brantlinger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Herbert Paul Brantlinger 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 State Highway Patrol, 8 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herbert Paul Brantlinger's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert Paul Brantlinger Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert Paul Brantlinger is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert Paul Brantlinger was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
