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Daniel E. Doncaster
Incident
Chief Daniel Doncaster died as the result of injuries sustained four days earlier while fighting a fire that destroyed a building at the corner of Penn Avenue and Wood Street.
While on the scene a fire hose struck Chief Doncaster in the leg, causing a deep wound. He was taken to Columbus Hospital, where blood poisoning set in. He died as a result four days later.
Chief Doncaster had previously served with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department and the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Chief of Police Doncaster served with the Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilkinsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Doncaster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Daniel is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel 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 1908, 5 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1908, 36 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 111th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1908, 48 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Daniel 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.
Daniel 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.
Daniel 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.
When
March holds 9.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 14.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, 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
Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
