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Incident
Lieutenant Frank Stearn died as a result of a stroke he suffered five weeks earlier while chasing several suspects. He was walking his beat in the Old Conemaugh Boro section of the city when he noticed a group of boys at the Adams Street School. The boys began to run and Lieutenant Stearn chased them over a wall. As he jumped over the wall he suffered the stroke. He remained unconscious until his death five weeks later.
Survivors
Lieutenant Stearn had served with the Johnstown Police Department for 30 years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnc7371hb5yv495h5dyn- Stewardship
- 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Stearn gave the Johnstown Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Stearn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Johnstown Police Department has lost 9 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Frank is one of 121 officers lost to illness in PA, 9.6% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Frank is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 1 officer in PA was lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 66.
In 1916, 6 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 26th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1916, 15 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 27th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Frank was 69. Of the 121 lost to illness in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 39. Frank had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 9.4 years.
Frank was 69. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Frank had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Frank was 69. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Frank had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
May holds 5% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 49.6%. Saturdays: 12.4%.
May holds 6.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
May holds 6.7% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 11.1% of all 9 deaths at Johnstown Police Department, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 9.6% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Johnstown Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
