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Incident
Patrolman DeRubbo suffered a fatal heart attack following an emergency response involving an ill woman.
He and another officer were sent to the woman's residence on a welfare check. Patrolman DeRubbo then drove the woman from her residence to Pittsburgh Hospital in the city of Pittsburgh for approximately three miles at emergency speeds and through rush hour traffic. As Patrolman DeRubbo and his partner returned to their patrol car he suffered a fatal heart attack in the driver's seat. Help was summoned and he was taken into the emergency room where he was pronounced dead.
Patrolman DeRubbo was survived by his wife and three kids. He was a well known football player in the area and had previously served with the Rankin Borough Police Department. He was seriously wounded in a shooting with a suspicious person on October 3rd, 1928, while serving as a Rankin Police officer.
Survivors
Patrolman DeRubbo was survived by his wife and three kids.
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.
Patrolman DeRubbo served with the Swissvale Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman DeRubbo.
— 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.
John is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1944, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1944, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1944, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 45. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48.
John was 45. 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.
John was 45. 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%. Thursdays: 15.3%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
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, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-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.
