James Edward Hughes
Agency patch
Patrolman

James Edward Hughes

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Felonious
End of Watch December 27, 1929
Age 50
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Hughes responded to a grocery store robbery at 10 Emmett Street and was interviewing victims inside when someone ran in and stated he had seen the three suspects on Centre Avenue. Patrolman Hughes overtook the subjects at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Francis Street. During the ensuing gun battle, Patrolman Hughes was shot six times. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Passavant Hospital. On May 29, 1930, two of the three suspects were arrested by police in connection to the shooting death of Patrolman Hughes and the robbery of the grocery store. Both suspects admitted too participating in the robbery and shooting of Patrolman Hughes and gave confessions. On November 21, 1930, both suspects pleaded guilty to robbery and homicide and were both given life sentences. It is unknown if the third suspect was ever apprehended. Patrolman Hughes had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 23 years and was assigned to the Centre Avenue Police Station, present day Zone 2 Police Station Hill District.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Hughes gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hughes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 27, 1929
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
Age 50
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 50. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman James Edward Hughes

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch December 27, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E

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