Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward Couch succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while chasing a man who had just murdered another man at the intersection of Irwin Avenue and Freedmore Street. The man was walking home from a party when he was confronted by three drunk strikers who began to harass him. The suspect shot and killed one of them and then began to flee. Patrolman Couch, who was nearby, heard the shot and began to chase the suspect. The man turned and fired four more shots, all of them striking Patrolman Couch. The suspect was an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad who continued to work despite a strike at the railroad. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison of pneumonia on January 5th, 1929. Patrolman Couch had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 18 years and was assigned to the Woods Run Police Station, present-day Zone 1 Police Station North Side. He is buried in Lot 16, Range 5, Section F, Division 3 of Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-DDC5A3B2- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Couch gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 17 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Couch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edward George Couch 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward George Couch's cause is highlighted.
How Edward George Couch Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward George Couch is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward George Couch was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
100 officers from Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
