National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Private

Memorial Panel: 29-W: 31

Department: Pennsylvania State Police

End of Watch: October 24, 1918

Cause: PHYS

Age: 34

Years of Service: 1

Description: On October 20, 1918, Private McLaughlin contracted influenza during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918. Members of the Pennsylvania State Police were ordered to enforce the state health laws and perform duties such as assisting doctors and nurses care for influenza victims, to serve as pallbearers of influenza victims and to transport ill patients to and from hospitals. Private McLaughlin died four days later of pneumonia due to influenza. Privates Edward Jackson, Joseph Brown, George Higgins, Joseph Malloy, Chester Kuhns and Sergeant Zoe Remaly also died as a result of the flu that October. Private James Walsh became ill and died of the flu in December.