Joseph John Grill
Agency patch
Police Officer

Joseph John Grill

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Accident
End of Watch March 6, 1991
Age 59
Tour of Duty 25 yrs 9 mo
Badge 1375
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Joseph Grill and Thomas Herron were killed in an auto accident while in pursuit of two stolen vehicles. Their patrol wagon collided with another patrol wagon near the intersection of 26th Street and Sarah Street shortly before 10:00 am. During the chase, both vehicles had split up and were continuing to be followed by Officers Grill and Herron. While pursuing the second vehicle on Sarah Street, their patrol wagon was broadsided by a second police wagon that was entering the pursuit on 26th Street. The 18-year-old suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle a few blocks away shortly after the crash. On March 14, the suspect was arrested at City Court while attending a hearing related to an unrelated charge of robbery. Investigators learned of the suspect's identity shortly after the accident and were unable to locate him but were aware of the scheduled court hearing. The driver of the first stolen vehicle was arrested the same day, several blocks from the accident scene. On October 9, 1991, the 18-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of homicide by motor vehicle. The suspect was sentenced to 9 1/2 years to 29 years in prison. Officer Grill had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 25 years and was assigned to Zone 3 South Side.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Grill gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Grill.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 6, 1991
Tour of Duty 25 yrs 9 mo
Age 59
Badge Number 1375
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1991, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 59. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 25.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Joseph John Grill

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch March 6, 1991

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W

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