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Incident
Lieutenant Thomas Sanderson suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a robbery subject at a service station at the intersection of West Hutchinson Street and South Braddock Avenue. Lieutenant Sanderson and his partner entered the service station and struggled with the subject who resisted arrest and kicked Lieutenant Sanderson in his chest. He took the subject to the police station as his partner went to the hospital to get looked at for an injury. As he was questioning the subject he suffered a fatal heart attack. The subject had violated his parole and was responsible for several armed robberies in Allegheny County. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 7-15 years in prison after completing a five-year sentence for violating his parole. The subject died in prison on July 7, 1963. Lieutenant Sanderson had served with the Edgewood Borough Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, daughter, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Lieutenant Sanderson gave the Edgewood Borough Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Edgewood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Sanderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Edgewood Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Thomas is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 5 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1957, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1957, 12 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Thomas was 51. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 11.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Edgewood Borough Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Edgewood Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Edgewood Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.