Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Martin Pluter was the victim of a revenge murder. He was shot and killed with his own service revolver after confronting five youths who were creating a disturbance near the Wall Borough municipal building.
After telling the men to go home an argument and struggle ensued with two of the youths, one who was the son the former constable, fired after he was convicted of extortion. During the struggle the ex-constable's son was shot in the foot as he was able to gain control of Constable Pluter's revolver and shot him through the heart. His killer, 20, and the other youth, 22, were arrested and charged with murder.
Constable Pluter's killer was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled on July 30, 1938. The other youth was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 4 to 8 years.
Constable Pluter had served as constable for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E005F779- 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
You barely got started.
Constable Pluter gave the Pennsylvania State Constable 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Pluter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Martin Pluter 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 Constable - Allegheny County, 10 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin Pluter's cause is highlighted.
How Martin Pluter Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin Pluter is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin Pluter was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County are honored on badge.nw.
