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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Kintzer suffered a fatal heart attack while arresting an intoxicated subject who assaulted him on Schuylkill Avenue near Windsor Street.
While off duty, Patrolman Kintzer was walking to a store near his home when he was unexpectedly assaulted and pushed against a tree striking his head. As he was on top of the subject and attempted to tell a bystander to grab his keys for the call box to call for help he suffered a fatal heart attack. The subject managed to push Patrolman Kintzer off of him and walked away from the scene where he was arrested a couple blocks away several minutes later.
The subject was arrested and charged with manslaughter but acquitted by a coroner's jury the following week. The coroner's jury exonerated the subject stating that Patrolman Kinzter was not physically fit enough to perform his duties as a police officer and ordered the Reading Police Department to perform periodical physical examinations on their officers.
Patrolman Kintzer served with the Reading Police Department for more than 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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 Kintzer gave the Reading Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kintzer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Reading Police Department has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Thomas is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1925, 2 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1925, 4 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1925, 4 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Thomas was 68. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 12.2 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Thomas was 68. 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. Thomas had served 12.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Thomas was 68. 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. Thomas had served 12.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 5.1% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Reading Police Department, the 2nd 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
Reading Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Reading Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
