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Incident
Detective Sam Lucchino was shot and killed from ambush as he returned home at the end of his shift at 10:30 pm. He was walking up the stairs of his home, at 29 East Railroad Street, when two men approached him from behind and one shot him four times in front of his wife who was standing at their front door waiting for him. He was taken to Pittston Hospital where he died approximately one our later.
An investigation revealed that two men had been hired in New Jersey to murder Detective Lucchino as a result of an investigation he had been involved in. Both men were arrested, convicted of his murder, and both died in the electric chair on September 23, 1922.
At the time of their arrest, both suspects said a wealthy rock contractor paid them $3,500 to kill Detective Lucchino. A friend, the two were living with, came forward and supported their statement. At the time of his death Detective Lucchino was investigating the contractor for illegal interference in the strike of 10,000 employees of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He was arrested, charged with murder, but released three days later when a judge ruled the evidence was insufficient. Authorities then became suspicious their friend when it was learned that he had recently been released from federal prison after serving a five year term for counterfeiting. It was Detective Lucchino's investigation of him that sent him to prison. In 1924 the contractor disappeared. His cloths were found along the shore of Lake Erie. It is believed that friends of the two executed killed him. Right after the executions the other man was forced into hiding after he was shot at several times. In 1928 he was charged in connection with another murder.
Detective Lucchino was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and three siblings.
Survivors
Detective Lucchino was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and three siblings.
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.
Detective Lucchino served with the Pittston City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lucchino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pittston City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1920, 12 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 35. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Samuel was 35. 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.
Samuel was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 8% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Pittston City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pittston City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pittston City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.