Constable Henry Hess, Pennsylvania State Constable

Constable Henry Hess

Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Sunday, July 26, 1874

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Henry Hess

Constable Henry Hess drowned while attempting to rescue citizens during a flood in Allegheny City.

Heavy rains had caused a stream above O'Hara Street (present day Spring Garden Avenue in Pittsburgh) overflow, which resulted in a large landslide. Constable Hess became caught in the flood waters and drowned as he attempted to rescue several citizens in the area of Concord Street and Chestnut Street.

Constable Hess' body was located along Perry Street the following morning. An estimated 150 to 200 people died in the flood.

Constable Hess was the constable of Allegheny City's Ward 3 for four years. He was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War.

Bio

Age 45
Tour 4 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Drowned

water rescue

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Most Recent Reflection

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Constable Hess,
On today, the 150th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the Union Army during the Civil War.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 26, 2024