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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Coyle was shot and killed as he and his partner pursued two subjects on foot at 7:00 pm, on the railroad tracks at the rear of the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company Plant in Leechburg Borough.
Both Deputies and a civilian who was accompanying them were eating dinner inside a restaurant on Market Street when two men who were acting disorderly were removed from the restaurant by the owner after one of the men assaulted a waitress. The owner notified both deputies and they followed the men outside the restaurant to an alleyway where they notified both subjects that they had 20 minutes to leave town and if they failed to do so they would be arrested.
They returned to the restaurant to finish dinner when they spotted both subjects on an adjacent corner speaking to a local man approximately 20 minutes later. As both deputies approached, the men fled on foot. Deputy Coyle caught up to one of the subjects nearing a railroad bridge and as he grabbed the subject's left arm to place him under arrest the man swung around and shot Deputy Coyle in the chest. Deputy Coyle's partner pursued both subjects and exchanged 10 to 12 shots with them until both men escaped by hiding on a railroad car. Early the next morning both of the subjects were arrested without incident by members of the Pennsylvania State Police while sleeping in a boarding house in Cadogan.
Deputy Sheriff Coyle and his partner were deputized in September and were assigned to patrol duty in Leechburg Borough to preserve order at the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company Plant due to the national steel strike.
On December 19th, 1919, charges against one of the subjects was dismissed by the presiding judge during the trial due to insufficient evidence against him. The second subject was found guilty of homicide and was sentenced to seven to nine years in prison and ordered to pay a fine up to $1 for costs of prosecution.
Deputy Sheriff Coyle had served with the Armstrong County Sheriffs Office for two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Coyle served with the Armstrong County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kittanning community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coyle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Armstrong County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joseph is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1919, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 36. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 36. 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. Joseph had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Armstrong County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, 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; .45 caliber, in 1.5% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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