Incident
Patrolman Louis Hufnagel was shot and killed after responding to a burglary call at a home on Sterrett Place at 2:00 am. When he arrived the victim informed him that the three suspects had shot at him inside of the home. Patrolman Hufnagel saw the suspects leaving the scene but was shot at when he began to approach them. He was struck once in the leg and knocked down. The suspects continued to fire and shot him three more times in the head and throat. Three suspects were apprehended but released due to a lack of evidence. No suspects were ever brought to trial for Patrolman Hufnagel's murder. Patrolman Hufnagel had served with the agency for seven years.
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BO-US-PA-F8EC7D0B- Stewardship
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- 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 Hufnagel gave the Crafton Borough Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hufnagel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Louis Henry Hufnagel 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis Henry Hufnagel's cause is highlighted.
How Louis Henry Hufnagel Compares
Offender Outcome
Never brought to trial
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Louis Henry Hufnagel is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Louis Henry Hufnagel was killed by gun; unknown type.