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Incident
Postal Inspector Finton McMahon fell to his death while conducting an internal criminal investigation in the Akron, Ohio, Post Office.
He was inside the lookout gallery, located 20 feet above the workroom floor, and had just begun to climb down a steel ladder when he lost his footing. He fell down the ladder well and suffered a fatal head injury.
Older Post Offices were constructed with enclosed observation catwalks that were used to conduct surveillance when theft was suspected. Known as lookout galleries, these catwalks were very dark and cramped and often spanned several floors via straight shafts equipped with ladders.
Inspector McMahon had served with the United States Postal Inspection Service for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Postal Inspector McMahon gave the United States Postal Inspection Service 9 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector McMahon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Postal Inspection Service has lost 14 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Finton is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Finton is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Finton 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 1939, 1 officer at United States Postal Inspection Service was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1939, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1939, 61 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 72nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1939, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Finton was 37. Of the 8 lost to accidents at United States Postal Inspection Service whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 50; the middle age was 45. Finton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 11.3 years.
Finton was 37. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Finton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Finton was 37. 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. Finton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Finton was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Finton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 25% of these deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service; February holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
August holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 14 deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, 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
United States Postal Inspection Service has 14 officers remembered here, Finton among them.
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Charles M. Davis
Jun 5, 1867
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Charles Fitzgerald Sep 23, 1908
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Elbert Perry Lamberth
Aug 16, 1917
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George Washington Daniel
Sep 1, 1919
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Levi C. Chance Feb 14, 1923
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Walter Richard Ton
Jan 10, 1938
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Finton T. McMahon
Aug 1, 1939
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Ernest M. Harkins
Jan 12, 1949
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Bruce Orrin Shaffer Aug 31, 1951
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John P. McAuliffe
Mar 14, 1960
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Benedetto M. Spizzirri
Mar 14, 1960
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Terrance M. Asbury
Feb 3, 1990
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Robert Francis Jones, Jr.
Jul 14, 2000
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Preston Boyd Parnell
Jul 26, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
