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Incident
Patrolman John Simoson was killed when he was thrown from his motorcycle when it skidded on a curve in Smethport Borough. Patrolman Simoson had served with the Pennsylvania Motor Police for a year and a half.
Survivors
He was survived by his father.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Simoson gave the Pennsylvania Motor Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Simoson.
— 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.
John is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1937, 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 1937, 8 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1937, 95 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1937, 109 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 23. 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. John had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 2.4 years.
John was 23. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
John was 23. 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. John had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Motor Police; October holds the most, 50%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
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, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
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.
