Prev
Incident
Chief Game Protector Joseph Kalbfus and Field Superintendent Woody Kelly were killed when their patrol car was struck by a "Fast Express" train in Warren County, Pennsylvania.
The two were traveling from DuBois to Warren as part of their inspection of the state game preserves. About 12:15 pm Superintendent Kelly was driving across a track crossing near Sheffield when the express train rounded a curve and struck the car. Dr. Kalbfus was thrown from the vehicle and died instantly while Kelly was pinned between the wreckage of the car and the locomotive. This crossing was in a dangerous location and was the scene of another accident about a week earlier.
Chief Kalbfus had served as the chief of the department since its founding in 1905.
The two were traveling from DuBois to Warren as part of their inspection of the state game preserves. About 12:15 pm Superintendent Kelly was driving across a track crossing near Sheffield when the express train rounded a curve and struck the car. Dr. Kalbfus was thrown from the vehicle and died instantly while Kelly was pinned between the wreckage of the car and the locomotive. This crossing was in a dangerous location and was the scene of another accident about a week earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtns9ez402gbtcd1r39mk- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Game Protector Kalbfus gave the Pennsylvania Game Commission 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Game Protector Kalbfus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania Game Commission has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 2 officers at Pennsylvania Game Commission were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 8 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1919, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1919, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 72. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Pennsylvania Game Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 39.5 and 60; the middle age was 48.5. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Joseph was 72. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Joseph was 72. 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. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 72. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, more than any other month. Sundays: 60%.
August holds 8.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.3%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, 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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pennsylvania Game Commission has 12 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
-
L. Seeley Houk
Mar 2, 1906
-
Charles Beecham Nov 4, 1906
-
Joseph McHugh
Nov 7, 1915
-
Joseph H. Kalbfus
Aug 10, 1919
-
Elias W. Kelly
Aug 10, 1919
-
Darrell S. Solida Dec 6, 1931
-
Walter M. Middleton Dec 1, 1935
-
John B. Ross Jul 18, 1942
-
Robert Earl Zimmerman
May 13, 1957
-
Leroy Brown Stackhouse Sep 28, 1969
-
Woodrow E. Portzline
Oct 24, 1973
-
David Lynn Grove
Nov 11, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.
