Thomas Chidlow
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas Chidlow

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Accident
End of Watch May 24, 1888
Age 49
Tour of Duty 20 yrs
The Vigil Panel 9 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Chidlow was killed when the buggy he was riding in was struck by a train at the Roup Avenue railroad crossing.

The driver's vision was obscured by the railroad depot and a train stopped on the first set of tracks, which had a severe curve at that point. As he proceeded across the track an engine, which was running with its tender in front, failed to sound its horn and struck the buggy. Officer Chidlow and the buggy's driver were both killed instantly and their bodies mutilated.

Patrolman Chidlow's children happened across the scene as they walked to school and witnessed the scene.

Patrolman Chidlow had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 20 years and was survived by his wife and 10 children.

Survivors

Patrolman Chidlow had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 20 years and was survived by his wife and 10 children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Chidlow gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 20 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 24, 1888
Tour of Duty 20 yrs
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1888, 7 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 139th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas was 49. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Thomas Chidlow

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch May 24, 1888

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E

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