Images(2)

Commemorative

Object number2016.157.4

MediumMetal; Fabric; Wood; Glass; Paint; Paper

Credit LineGift of Theresa K. Long

DescriptionFramed commemorative assemblage consisting of one police shield, one pin, and one insignia badge, all above a metal dedication plate.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 7.5 × 8.5 × 1.5 in. (19.1 × 21.6 × 3.8 cm)
InscriptionsThe shield (left) has raised bronze-tone numbers at center "1344" and raised text around perimeter "PITTSBURGH POLICE".

The pin (center) has gold text around the perimeter "INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE / CHICAGO".

The metal dedication plate at bottom center has engraved text "JOSEPH F. GAETANO / DEC. 7, 1929 - JUNE 10, 1966 / PGH. POLICE 12 YR VETERAN".
Historical NotesObject pertaining to the donor Theresa K. Long's uncle, Joseph F. Gaetano, who was a Pittsburgh Police officer killed on the job in 1966. Gaetano was of Italian descent, the son of a mason, he grew up in Beechview. He joined the polic force in 1954, when he was around 25. The year before his death he was married to Jean, who he met in a club where she worked. By the time of Gaetano’s death he worked in the Public Safety building, taking fingerprints and booking new suspects, etc., as he had trained in fingerprint identification. On June 10, 1966, as he was escorting Edward Bittner from booking to a holding cell, Bittner grabbed Gaetano's gun when they were alone on the elevator and shot him fatally in the chest. Gaetano was killed and Bittner jumped through a window and escaped, only to be caught later that day in the Hill District. This object was given to the family by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Related person Joseph Francis Gaetano

Related person Edward E. Bittner

Related institution Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Related institution Fraternal Order of Police

Related institution Institute of Applied Science

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