Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Otto Nukem succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two weeks earlier when he was shot while responding to a riot in the city's Rosedale section. As the vehicle he was in drove underneath an underpass shots were fired at the car and Detective Nukem was struck in the arm. He was transported to Memorial Hospital and treated. He was released from the hospital but died from complications several days later. Three other officers were also killed as results of wounds sustained in the riot. Special Officer Joseph Abrahams and Detective John James, of the Cambria County District Attorney's Office, were shot and killed on the day of the riot. Captain Otto Fink, also of the Johnstown Police Department, died on November 2nd, 1923, from wounds sustained during the riot. The officers were attempting to stop a disturbance involving several men when one, crazed from drinking moonshine, opened fire with a revolver. Other officers arriving on the scene shot and killed the suspect.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-EC59E4E2- 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 Nukem gave the Johnstown Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Nukem.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Otto A. Nukem 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 Johnstown Police Department, 4 of 9 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. Otto A. Nukem's cause is highlighted.
How Otto A. Nukem Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otto A. Nukem is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otto A. Nukem was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
