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Incident
Police Officer James McKeag was killed after being assaulted and thrown from the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad trestle in East Pittsburgh.
He had attempted to serve a warrant on a man for stealing a horse and was pursuing him on foot. He caught the man on the trestle but was attacked by three of the man's friends, who had followed them. The group beat Officer McKeag with brass knuckles and the butt of a revolver before throwing him off of the trestle.
His body was found the following morning at approximately 7:00 am.
The case was initially ruled accidental, but in February 1903, a subject admitted to his involvement in the murder after being arrest following a barroom fight in East Pittsburgh. The other three subjects were arrested and all four were held on a true bill for murder.
Officer McKeag was survived by his wife and family.
Survivors
Officer McKeag was survived by his wife and family.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McKeag served with the Turtle Creek Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Turtle Creek community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McKeag.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Turtle Creek Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 43. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
James was 43. 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.
James was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Turtle Creek Borough Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Turtle Creek Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Turtle Creek Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
