Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Albert Lorch was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a burglary suspect on Ruthaven Street in Pittsburgh. Detective Lorch was accompanying two Shaler Township police officers in searching for the suspect. When they located him, the man began struggling with Detective Lorch. The man disarmed him and then shot him several times, killing him. The 35-year-old suspect had recently been released from prison after serving 12 years for armed robbery. Ten days later, he was shot and killed by detectives in Pittsburgh. Detective Lorch had served with the Allegheny County Police Department for six years. He is buried at Birmingham Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-CEF47B69- 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.
Detective Lorch gave the Allegheny County Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lorch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Albert Theodore Lorch 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 Allegheny County Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Albert Theodore Lorch's cause is highlighted.
How Albert Theodore Lorch Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert Theodore Lorch is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert Theodore Lorch was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Allegheny County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
