Unearthing The Undead  - THOMAS APITSCH

Badge #: 1039

K-9 name: Dondi

Thomas Apitsch was a police officer that was on set for "Night of the Living Dead".  Although he and his K-9 Dondi aren't in the film (There are no photos of Thomas holding a K9 on Posse day), Thomas can be seen in a few photos taken that day guarding the perimeter.  

Thomas can also be seen in the John Marshall film "Pittsburgh Police 1969", a documentary that followed the Pittsburgh police, similar to the show COPS.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a Sargent in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean war, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He retired as a City of Pittsburgh Police Officer after 28 years of service.

Special thanks to the Heinz History Center for their help and information.

Researched and compiled by John Vullo

Text and photos © Image Ten, Inc.

If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com

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