207 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Case Description
Any updates on this case?
John J. Donovan, a 24-year-old male police officer of Irish ethnicity, tragically lost his life on September 25, 1903, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Officer Donovan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on Market Street near 17th. The suspect, identified as Samuel Archer, attempted to flee but was shot and wounded by other officers before being taken into custody.
The incident occurred during Officer Donovan's relatively short tenure with the Philadelphia Polic ...Read More
The incident occurred during Officer Donovan's relatively short tenure with the Philadelphia Polic ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
John J. Donovan
Male
White / Caucasian
Philadelphia
PA
1903-09-25
24
John
Donovan
11/14/2025





