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Martin F. Windt
Incident
Constable Martin Windt was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for disorderly conduct in West Homestead.
The 19-year-old subject had been involved in an argument with his parents and was speaking with his friends when Constable Windt located him and asked to speak with him. The subject took a few steps back, drew his weapon, and fired several shots. Constable Windt was struck in the head and abdomen. He was taken to Homestead Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after midnight.
The youth fled to his girlfriend's home where he shot and killed her mother when she refused to let him in. He then shot and killed a neighbor who went to see what was happening when he heard the shot. He then fled into the nearby woods pursued by a posse. He was able to escape the posse and remained at large until March 17, 1920, when he was arrested in Youngstown, Ohio. A returned war veteran who knew him recognized him and informed police.
On June 19, 1920, the suspect, now 26, was convicted of Constable Windt's murder and sentenced to 15 to 19 years. He was never tried for the other two murders. His parole was denied on December 21, 1925.
Constable Windt also served as a detective with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department. He was survived by his wife. His mother, so grief stricken after he died, committed suicide.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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 Windt served with the Pennsylvania State Constable.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Windt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County has lost 11 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Martin is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 2.
In 1913, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 48.8; the middle age was 40.5.
Martin was 30. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Martin was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Martin was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County; July holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90.9% of all 11 deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County has 11 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
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Henry Hess Jul 26, 1874
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Samuel Norman Jul 27, 1877
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William Shields Oct 16, 1903
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Thomas J. O'Sullivan
Jul 12, 1907
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Martin F. Windt
Dec 29, 1913
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Thomas Pugh Jun 15, 1916
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Peter B. Hoarty Jul 13, 1916
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John Mancos Jul 22, 1925
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Walter H. Gant Sep 16, 1925
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Martin Pluter
Apr 16, 1934
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Andrew Joseph Conroy Jan 21, 1938
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County are honored on badge.nw.
