Joe B. Champion was born May 15, 1900, at Dover, Stuart County, Tennessee.
Prior to his enlistment with the State Highway Patrol, he served three years with the U. S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on May 3, 1924. He enlisted with the State Highway Patrol from Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 13, 1924, and was assigned to Troop B, Greensburg. He was 24 years old, and 5′ 11″ tall.
At 9:30 p.m. on July 13, 1936, Champion was on patrol, accompanied by Patrolman H. C. Ross. On Route 8, 10 miles south of Butler, Middlesex Township, Butler County, their patrol vehicle, a Chevrolet roadster, collided with a Dodge coupe driven by Charles F. Yeager of Pittsburgh. Champion was taken to the Butler County Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries on July 15. Ross, 23, recovered from his injuries.
Champion is buried in Philadelphia Memorial Park, Malvern. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Jeanette Champion, of Philadelphia. Champion, 36, had completed eleven years and nine months of State Highway patrol service.