Roll of Honor
Albert Schmittker
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Incident Date: Wednesday, March 28, 1923 Weapon: Handgun; Revolver Offender: Not available
Railroad Detective Albert Schmittker succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier in the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad's Southside yards near South Fourth Street in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
He was examining an eastbound freight train that had stopped in the yards. As he opened the door to a boxcar, two subjects jumped out and opened fire on him with a revolver, striking him in the leg. Both men then fled the area towards South Sixth Street.
Detective Schmittker was taken to Southside Hospital where he died two days later.
Detective Schmittker was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Detective Schmittker was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-759199FF- 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.
Railroad Detective Schmittker served with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Schmittker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Albert Schmittker 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 and Lake Erie Railroad Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Albert Schmittker's cause is highlighted.
How Albert Schmittker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert Schmittker is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert Schmittker was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
