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Incident
Officer Buck Roy succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two months earlier when he and another officer responded to a rally on the Haverford College campus in which 200 KKK members were burning a cross. The officers arrived as the rally ended and attempted to question two men who were leaving the scene. When they asked the man to stop one of them opened fire, striking Officer Roy in the leg and hip and the other officer in the chin. For the next two months, Officer Roy drifted in and out of consciousness and had to have his leg amputated. He died on September 14, 1924, as a result of the wounds he sustained. Five men were tried and acquitted for his murder. Six months later, a janitor at the college admitted to being the shooter and was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison.
Survivors
Officer Roy was survived by his mother and father.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Roy served with the Lower Merion Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ardmore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Roy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lower Merion Township Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis 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 1924, 16 officers in PA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 26. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Francis was 26. 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.
Francis was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 10.5% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Sundays: 12.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Lower Merion Township Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 18.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lower Merion Township Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lower Merion Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
