P. Joseph Deeghan, a 28-year-old male of Irish ethnicity, was a constable in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. On March 2, 1904, he was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a suspect named Sherman. Deeghan and two other officers went to Sherman's home to serve an arrest warrant. When they arrived, Sherman invited them inside to read the warrant. However, during the encounter, Sherman pulled out a firearm and shot Deeghan, leading to his death at the hospital later that day.
The incident led to an investigation, but there were no further arrests or litigation related to Deeghan's death. The suspect, Sherman, was not apprehended or charged in connection with the killing. The case remains a tragic example of the dangers law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.
Deeghan's death was widely reported in the local newspapers of the time, and he was remembered for his dedication to his duty and the community. His sacrifice is commemorated on various memorial pages, including the Officer Down Memorial Page .
