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Incident
Constable Hugh Coyle was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an escapee who had just shot the police chief of Noblestown.
The man had been serving a sentence for murder when he escaped from jail. He was located by a county detective and the Noblestown police chief, hiding in an old ice barn. When the police chief entered the barn, he was shot in the shoulder and wounded.
A large crowd assembled at the location and set off dynamite, destroying part of the barn, but the man remained hidden inside. Later in the afternoon, Constable Coyle, who had gone to the scene from McDonald, stated he would get the man out. As he entered the barn he was shot and fatally wounded.
Following the shooting of Constable Coyle, the crowd poured oil on the barn and set it afire. As the flames spread the suspect committed suicide.
Constable Coyle also served as a deputy sheriff in addition to serving as a policeman for McDonald Borough.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Coyle served with the McDonald Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the McDonald community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hugh is the only officer of McDonald Borough Police Department remembered here.
Hugh is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Hugh is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hugh 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 1892, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hugh was 38. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Hugh was 38. 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.
Hugh was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at McDonald Borough Police Department. 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 34,117 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 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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