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Incident
Patrolman James Lewis was struck and killed by two vehicles that were racing on Butler Street near Washington Street shortly before midnight.
He and another officer had been detailed to stop cars that had been using Butler Street to race in recent days. He was struck by a vehicle and thrown into another as he stepped into the roadway to flag down the vehicles.
Patrolman Lewis was transported to Allegheny General Hospital where he died the following morning. Both drivers were arrested at the scene and held in connection with his death. A coroner inquest ruled that Patrolman Lewis's death was accidental and no charges were filed against the drivers.
Patrolman Lewis had served with the Etna Borough Police Department for 15 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two siblings.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Lewis gave the Etna Borough Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
James is the only officer of Etna Borough Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1921, 6 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 51. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. James had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
James was 51. 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. James had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Etna Borough Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
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