Edward L. Boyer
Incident
Corrections Employee Edward Boyer died from a blow to the head from an inmate in the dining area of State Correctional Institute-Graterford. In 1975 the inmate was sentenced to three life terms for the murders of two children and an FBI informant in Pittsburgh. On December 8th, 1977, he was convicted of Mr. Boyer's murder and received another life sentence. On April 2nd, 1978, he was found dead in his cell at State Correctional Institute-Graterford. An autopsy revealed that he died from a blood clot. Mr. Boyer was Food Service Instructor for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Corrections Employee Boyer gave the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Employee Boyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1977, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1977, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 49. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 52; the middle age was 40. Edward had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 8.4 years.
Edward was 49. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Edward had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 49. 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. Edward had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.7% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections; February holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 15.4%.
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.5% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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James Gastin Oct 31, 1844
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Michael Doran May 31, 1884
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James A. Bloomer Mar 25, 1892
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John Taylor Coax
Feb 11, 1924
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John August Pieper
Feb 11, 1924
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Edwin H. Lichtenberger Jul 17, 1944
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Charles Robert Elder
Aug 9, 1954
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Clifford Joseph Grogan, SR
Nov 12, 1965
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Steven Phillip Ary Sr.
Sep 16, 1973
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Walter Lee Peterson
Dec 10, 1973
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Edward L. Boyer Jun 5, 1977
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Felix Mokychic
Mar 20, 1979
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Francis William Wilt, Jr.
May 20, 1980
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David Hiram Bowser, Jr.
Nov 13, 2002
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David Michael Weaver
Sep 26, 2016
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Mark James Baserman
Feb 26, 2018
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Mark Anthony Gaspich
Oct 10, 2018
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Timothy Luke Prough
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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