Prev
Incident
Game Protector Joseph McHugh was shot and killed while searching the woods for poachers in Carbon County. The suspect in the case told the police that he had accidentally shot Game Protector McHugh while unloading his shotgun. The suspect was charged with murder and the district attorney was seeking the death penalty. The suspect was found not guilty at trial.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpkq0dp8ngn3ms3tzaqz- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector McHugh served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector McHugh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Game Commission has lost 12 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Game Commission was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1906, with 2.
In 1915, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
November holds 60% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, more than any other month. Sundays: 60%.
November holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Game Commission has 12 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
-
L. Seeley Houk
Mar 2, 1906
-
Charles Beecham Nov 4, 1906
-
Joseph McHugh
Nov 7, 1915
-
Joseph H. Kalbfus
Aug 10, 1919
-
Elias W. Kelly
Aug 10, 1919
-
Darrell S. Solida Dec 6, 1931
-
Walter M. Middleton Dec 1, 1935
-
John B. Ross Jul 18, 1942
-
Robert Earl Zimmerman
May 13, 1957
-
Leroy Brown Stackhouse Sep 28, 1969
-
Woodrow E. Portzline
Oct 24, 1973
-
David Lynn Grove
Nov 11, 2010
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.
