Lieutenant Joseph Rafay, Jr., Verona Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania

Lieutenant Joseph Rafay, Jr.

Verona Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Thursday, January 19, 1967

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Joseph Rafay, Jr.

Lieutenant Joseph Rafay suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a suspect at the scene of a disturbance at a bar in the 700 block of East Railroad Street shortly before 10:30 pm.

Lieutenant Rafay, another officer, and the suspect fell to the ground during the struggle as they were escorting the suspect outside. When Lieutenant Rafay stood back up, he collapsed. He was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was pronounced dead.

Lieutenant Rafay was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Verona Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife and child.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 20 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Heart attack

disturbance, struggle

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Lt. Rafay,
On today, the 58th 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. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

January 19, 2025