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Incident
Night Watchman Samuel Ferguson was stabbed to death in Butler County, Pennsylvania, while he and another officer attempted to serve a warrant on a subject wanted for stealing gas by tapping into a gas line.
The officers went to the man's home in Clearfield Township (present-day Jefferson Township) on Freeport Road to serve the warrant but were told by his wife that he was not home. Upon searching the home they located the subject and told him he was under arrest. He initially refused to be taken but then agreed and asked if he could change his shirt. The officers followed him into another room where he suddenly grabbed a bowie knife and a revolver and attacked the officers, stabbing them both several times.
Night Watchman Ferguson collapsed and died as the officers retreated to safety. The subject fled the scene but was later arrested in Buffalo, New York, and charged with murder. His wife was also arrested and charged with assisting her husband. In November 1853, the subject was found guilty of murder and his wife was acquitted during the trial.
Shortly after the trial the subject managed to escape the Butler County Jail by sawing away at the bars of a window that led to an old jail yard. The subject along with his wife who disappeared shortly afterward were never seen again.
Night Watchman Ferguson had served with the Pittsburgh Night Watch for two and a half years and was survived by his wife and 14 children.
Survivors
Night Watchman Ferguson had served with the Pittsburgh Night Watch for two and a half years and was survived by his wife and 14 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
173 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Ferguson gave the Pittsburgh Night Watch 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Pittsburgh Night Watch remembered here.
Samuel is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1853, 2 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1853, 5 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 182nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1853, 7 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 185th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 70. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 70. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 70. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pittsburgh Night Watch. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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