Police capture suspect in shooting of Pennsylvania officer

A Seward police officer said he heard Officer Reed’s commands before gunfire and watched the officer fall to the ground, the complaint states.

The two men would exchange quick rounds of gunfire outside a New Florence home that left Officer Reed of St. Clair Township police dead, and Mr. Shetler, 31, charged Sunday with homicide after he led police on a six-hour manhunt that ended nearby in Indiana County.

Officials said Shetler was arrested without incident Sunday morning after he was spotted on Route 711 in New Florence.

Shetler’s girlfriend called 911 around 9 p.m.to report that Shetler had been drinking, bloodied her nose and threatened to kill himself and her. She also said he caused the rural western Pennsylvania home they shared to begin filling with smoke from a wood-burning stove. Police on Monday were still searching for Shetland’s.270-caliber rifle, which the suspect said he lost while swimming across a river to avoid police.

Officer Reed leaves behind a wife of 15 years, several other family members and many friends.

During the news conference Monday, Limani defended Reed’s actions.

Meanwhile, an Federal Bureau of Investigation evidence team was back at the crime scene on Ligonier Street working to piece together the events of that night.

“This is another disgusting tragedy that brings to light how hard a police officer’s job can be on a daily basis”, Peck said. He was on probation at the time of the shooting.

Reed worked at the St. Clair department – which employs all part-time officers – for about five years.

Cathy Carney said she’ll never forget how Officer Reed helped her about a year-and-a-half ago when her auto broke down.

Reed was the first police officer to pull up to the house.

The flags will remain at half-staff until Reed is buried, and the governor urged all Pennsylvanians to participate in the tribute.

Reed’s obituary says he was a U.S. Army veteran and started his career as an officer at Seven Springs Borough.