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Incident
Chief of Police Joseph Norris succumbed to injuries sustained the night before when he attempted to arrest two men who were attempting to break into a home on Fifth Avenue.
Chief Norris had just returned home for the night when he was called and alerted to the incident, which was occurring only one block away from his home. He located the subjects on the front porch of a home at 516 Fifth Avenue, and discovered they were both drunk.
He began to escort the two men to the borough jail but as they approached the jail at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street the two men started to become beligerent. One of the men punched Chief Norris in the head, knocking him to the ground and causing a skull fracture when his head hit a curb. Both men were subdued by citizens and placed in the jail.
Chief Norris never regained consciousness and died the following morning.
The suspects, ages 25 and 26, were released after posting bail. Ten days later one, who worked for the railroad, was killed when he fell underneath a train. The other suspect was acquitted after his attorney convinced the jury that the other suspect caused Constable Norris' death.
Chief Norris had served with Juniata Borough Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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.
Chief of Police Norris gave the Juniata Borough Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Altoona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Norris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Juniata Borough Police Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1919, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 66. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 66. 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. Joseph had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 66. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Juniata Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, 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 person, in 4.5% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Juniata Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.