John F. Miller

Mar 17

Written By M T

57 years old · Donora, Pennsylvania · March 17–22, 2026

Who he was

John F. Miller, known to everyone in Donora as "Koo Koo," was 57 years old and a lifelong son of the Mon Valley in southwestern Pennsylvania. He had spent about nine months living with his sister Dana Miller in Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to Donora — the town he knew and that knew him — just thirteen days before he died. He had a son, Byron Miller, and was one of five children. His sister Dana, the youngest of the siblings, often looked after him. "He was my brother, my best friend, and he's going to be missed," she said. His friend April Straughters said: "If you knew Koo Koo, he was very kind-hearted, he loved to lift people up." Family friend Ruth Davenport, who had known him since childhood, said: "He was helpful, he was kind, he knew everyone." His family friend Danielle Payne, who organized his vigil, said simply: "At the end of the day, he was a Donora citizen, and it's sad to think this is how we treat our own. He was a human being."

What happened

On the evening of March 17, 2026, Donora Borough Police officers were called to Donora Towers — a high-rise residential building on Meldon Avenue — for an incident unrelated to Miller. When officers arrived, witnesses say they appeared to recognize Miller and told him he had a warrant. An exchange followed. Witnesses say Miller, who appeared to be unarmed, turned and ran. An officer tased him in the back. Miller fell to the ground and never regained consciousness. CPR was administered at the scene. He was transported by ambulance to Penn Highlands Mon Valley hospital and then airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he died on March 22, 2026 — five days after the tasing — at 10:55 p.m. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner confirmed his death and noted the incident occurred "while in police custody."

Official ruling

No official cause of death has been publicly determined. The Donora Borough Police Department turned the case over to Pennsylvania State Police for investigation. The department stated it was "fully cooperating with an outside agency" and that the incident was "currently active and being investigated." The investigation is expected to take four to six months. Investigators are waiting on a report from Axon — the company that manufactures the taser and body cameras used by many Pennsylvania departments — before they can determine exactly what happened.

Contested record

The family and community have raised multiple questions that remain unanswered. First, whether an active warrant for Miller even existed — the Mon Valley Independent was unable to independently confirm a warrant was active at the time. Second, whether Miller actually ran from officers, as police have suggested, or whether he simply had his back turned. Family friend Danielle Payne said: "His back was turned, I don't necessarily believe he ran, but even if he did, what justifies or is the protocol for deploying a Taser?" Third, whether the use of a taser on an older man suspected of a DUI warrant was proportionate force under any circumstances.

Miller's son was denied information by the police department and told to get an attorney. The family has not been told how many times the taser was deployed. It is unclear whether body camera footage exists or will be released. The department has declined to provide details beyond confirming the investigation is ongoing.

A family member described what happened: "He was tased and had a heart attack. He was an older man. He didn't need any of that extra aggression."

Legal process

March 17, 2026 — John Miller tased by Donora Borough Police officer outside Donora Towers. Becomes unresponsive. Transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley, then airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

March 22, 2026 — Miller pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m. at UPMC Presbyterian. Allegheny County Medical Examiner notes death occurred "while in police custody."

March 27, 2026 — Herald-Standard and Observer-Reporter report on death; Pennsylvania State Police investigation confirmed.

March 28, 2026 — Vigil held outside Donora Towers. More than 60 community members attend. Funeral services held at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Donora.

April 3, 2026 — PSP confirms investigation could take 4–6 months. Investigators waiting on Axon report before proceeding.

As of May 31, 2026 — Cause of death not publicly determined. PSP investigation ongoing. No charges filed. Body camera status unknown. Warrant status unconfirmed.