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Incident
Private Carey died after being exposed to tetrachloride fumes from a fire extinguisher. He and another officer had arrived on the scene of an accident in which a car was on fire. Private Carey used the fire extinguiser to put out the flames but immediately became ill. He was taken to a local doctor where he died approximately two hours later. All tetrachloride fire extinguisers issued to officers were immediately replaced with non-toxic fire extinguishers.
Survivors
Private Carey had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Private Carey gave the Pennsylvania Motor Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Carey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania Motor Police has lost 9 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Motor Police was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1938, with 2.
In 1941, 6 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 31. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Pennsylvania Motor Police whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 29.8; the middle age was 25. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 2.4 years.
Thomas was 31. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Thomas was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Motor Police; October holds the most, 50%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Pennsylvania Motor Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pennsylvania Motor Police has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Pennsylvania Motor Police are honored on badge.nw.
