Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Davidson was killed after falling beneath a moving freight train in Brandenville while fleeing from a striking miners who were attempting to attack him and three other deputies.
The deputies had gone to the area to escort a strike breaker to the Latrobe & Connellsville Coal Company stockade. When the striking miners saw the group they began chasing them. Deputy Davidson attempted to board a moving train at the train station in an attempt to flee from the mob, but he slipped and fell underneath the wheels.
Two weeks prior to Deputy Davidon's death, Deputy Sheriff George Ridgeway was murdered by striking miners while assigned to guard a non-union miner's belongings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnt790tfw04fhh57h34c- 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 Charles. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Davidson served with the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Davidson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 4 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1910, 18 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 121st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1910, 21 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 35. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 35. 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.
Charles was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
