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William Paul Roth
Incident
Auxiliary Police Officer William Roth suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting at the scene of a large fire in which one other person had already died at the intersection of Hays Avenue and Ormsby Avenue.
A building that housed an auto showroom had been burning for approximately two hours, and 13 different fire companies had responded to it. Officer Roth had assisted at the scene and was directing traffic when he suddenly collapsed. He was transported to Saint Joseph's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Roth was survived by his wife, two daughters, a sister, and two brothers.
He is buried at First Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetary in Mount Oliver, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Survivors
Officer Roth was survived by his wife, two daughters, a sister, and two brothers.
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.
Auxiliary Police Officer Roth served with the Mount Oliver Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Police Officer Roth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Mount Oliver Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
William is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1963, 20 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1963, 20 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 52. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48.
William was 52. 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.
William was 52. 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
January holds 11% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.4%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Mount Oliver 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 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Mount Oliver Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mount Oliver Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.