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P. Joseph Deeghan
Incident
Constable Joseph Deeghan was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to arrest a suspect for making threats against citizens. When the constables approached the suspect's home, he greeted them cordially and requested that they come in to read the arrest warrant to him. The light in the room was intentionally dim, and, as the constable struggled to read the warrant by the fire light, the suspect's wife feigned hysteria and left the room. She secreted two revolvers on her person and passed one to her husband when she returned. The couple then opened fire on the constables, striking Constable Deeghan three times and wounding the other two constables. The suspects fled the home after the shooting. The female suspect was captured only days after the incident, but the male suspect managed to escape the posse sent to capture him. Constable Deeghan had served with the Pennsylvania State Constable - Clinton County for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and six 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.
Constable Deeghan gave the Pennsylvania State Constable 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lock Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Deeghan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
P. is the only officer of Pennsylvania State Constable - Clinton County remembered here.
P. is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
P. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
P. 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 1904, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
P. was 27. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. P. had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
P. was 27. 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. P. had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
P. was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. P. had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Clinton County. 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Clinton County are honored on badge.nw.