U.S. Navy · United States 
John Downey
1927
John J. Downey served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Private John Downey was shot and killed while attempting to disperse a crowd of over 2,000 coal miners who were protesting the pending execution of a convicted criminal the following day. When the troopers used tear gas, someone in the crowed opened fire, fatally wounding Private Downey. Private Downey was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWI and had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Pennsylvania State Police
Private
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmtmkncc0tky8d69h9g7
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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