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Lee Finley Mortimer
Incident
Auxiliary Police Officer Lee Mortimer suffered a fatal heart attack while directing traffic for a four block fire in Rankin Borough.
The fire started at 11:45 a.m near the intersection of First Avenue and Second Avenue and swept through four blocks, destroying or damaging 22 homes, three school buildings and shops. Over 200 firefighters had fought the blaze for three hour which caused an estimated $1,000,000 in damages. Sixty families were evacuated and 100 people were left homeless.
Due to the fire Auxiliary Police Officer Mortimer had been called into service to direct traffic so emergency crews could get to the scene and to keep public away. While he was directing traffic he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was rushed to Braddock General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Auxiliary Police Officer Mortimer was survived by his wife, four children, and mother.
Survivors
Auxiliary Police Officer Mortimer was survived by his wife, four children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Auxiliary Police Officer Mortimer served with the Swissvale Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Police Officer Mortimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Swissvale Borough Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Lee is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Lee is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 5 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1957, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1957, 12 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Lee was 60. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48.
Lee was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Lee was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 13.6%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Swissvale Borough Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Swissvale Borough Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Swissvale Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
