Rep. Kinkead introduces legislation to memorialize slain police chief

New bill would create Chief Vernon Moses Memorial Highway

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Feb. 16 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, recently introduced a bill that would dedicate part of U.S. Route 19 to Vernon Moses, the first Ross Township police chief, who was killed in the line of duty 90 years ago.

“The Ross Township Police Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, as well as honoring the 90th anniversary of Chief Moses’ death,” Kinkead said. “I believe that it is fitting to honor and memorialize Chief Moses for his service and sacrifice to the residents of Ross Township by dedicating this section of U.S. Route 19 in his name as the Ross Township Police Department celebrates their centennial anniversary.”

Kinkead specified that the new legislation would designate the portion of U.S. Route 19 between Ivory Avenue and Cemetery Lane in Ross Township, the area where Moses lost his life, as the Chief Vernon Moses Memorial Highway.

“On May 3, 1932, Chief Moses was gunned down while pursuing Prohibition-style gang members who had been violently terrorizing Ross Township. To this day, he remains the only Ross Township police officer to be killed on the job throughout the department’s 100-year history,” Kinkead elaborated.

The Ross Township Police Department was enthusiastic upon learning about the bill that would memorialize Moses, stating “We are pleased to have Representative Kinkead and Senator Williams support and introduce legislation to recognize Chief Vernon ‘Port’ Moses' service to our residents and ultimate sacrifice. To have the section of the highway where he was gunned down in the performance of these duties renamed for him is an honor that will carry and preserve his memory for generations.”

The bill has garnered bipartisan support from 12 co-sponsors and will soon be referred to a committee in the PA House.