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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Gaujot was shot and killed by an employee at the Lowber Gas Coal Company near Lowber.
He had caught the employee sneak a bottle of moonshine into the camp. Deputy Gaujot searched the subject, confiscated a revolver, and took the man to the coal company's office. Inside the office, Deputy Gaujot lectured the man about attempting to bring the moonshine into the camp. He then returned the revolver to the subject and released him.
As he was leaving, the man started to curse at Deputy Gaujot and act disorderly. Deputy Gaujot grabbed the subject's arm in an attempt to arrest him, but the man pulled his revolver and fatally shot Deputy Gaujot in the chest and abdomen. The subject then turned the revolver on himself and committed suicide.
Deputy Sheriff Gaujot's body was taken to his hometown of Williamson, West Virginia, and buried at the Fairview Cemetery. He is survived by his daughter, two sisters, and three brothers. Deputy Gaujot's brothers are one of five sets of brothers who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter, two sisters, and three 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.
Deputy Sheriff Gaujot served with the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gaujot.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 11 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 55. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Ernest was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Ernest was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.