Roll of Honor

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Police Officer

Clarence Lawrence Eaton

Donora Borough Police Department — Donora, PA

Felonious

End of Watch August 16, 1902

Age 28

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Police Officer Clarence Eaton was shot and killed while attempting to breakup a fight at a dance at a farm known as Heslep's Grove.

Several juveniles and young men had started fighting and Officer Eaton, who was off duty and attending the dance with his wife, had broken up the fight and told the subjects to be peaceful. A short time later the subjects began fighting again and one of the brothers of a juvenile ran to the location and immediately shot Officer Eaton, killing him.

The 24-year-old subject was arrested and charged with Policeman Eaton's murder. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. He was eventually released and died in 1914.

Officer Eaton was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Officer Eaton was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-CFCA07D4
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.
Police Officer Eaton served with the Donora Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Donora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Eaton.

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

Agency

Department Donora Borough Police Department

Location Donora, PA

Platform Identity dbpd.washington.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 16, 1902

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Sentenced to 15 years

Police Officer Clarence Lawrence Eaton 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 Donora Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Donora Borough Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clarence Lawrence Eaton's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Clarence Lawrence Eaton Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 15 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence Lawrence Eaton is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence Lawrence Eaton was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Donora Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.