Chief of Police Robert Earl Pierce, Irwin Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania

Chief of Police Robert Earl Pierce

Irwin Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Sunday, June 23, 1957

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Robert Earl Pierce

Chief of Police Robert Pierce was struck and killed by a vehicle while lighting a red kerosene warning lantern at a construction zone at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Cedar Street.

The warning lights had gone out during heavy rain and Chief Pierce was relighting them along with a patrolman at about 10:20 pm. He was struck by a pharmacist who was rushing to his pharmacy to fill an emergency prescription. Chief Pierce was transported to Greensburg Hospital where he died at 4:50 am.

No charges were filed against the driver.

Chief Pierce was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He had served with the Irwin Borough Police Department for 18 months and had previously served with the Youngwood Borough Police Department. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, mother, and three siblings.

Bio

Age 35
Tour 1 year, 6 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle
Incident Date Saturday, June 22, 1957

construction zone

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Chief Pierce,
On today, the 68th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice/not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy as a crewman on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington(CV-20) in the Pacific fighting the Japanese during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

June 23, 2025