Remembering those we have lost . . .
During the history of the Lower Merion Township Police Department three officers have been killed in the line of duty. Information and photos on these line of duty deaths were obtained from the Lower Merion Township Police Department website and from the Officer Down Memorial page.
Officer Edward M. Setzer - EOW: September 30, 1988
On September 30, 1988, Officer Edward Setzer was assisting with the search for a burglary suspect in the Gladwyne area. At approximately 10:30 A.M. he stopped to investigate an unoccupied vehicle parked on the side of the roadway. He was confronted by a male suspect and during the ensuing struggle, Officer Setzer was fatally shot in the chest. Subsequent investigation indicated that the 23-year-old assailant, Kendall Hatfield, had just burglarized a nearby residence and had been responsible for several others crimes throughout the Delaware Valley, all involving either rape or sexual rituals. On October 13 he was charged with murder, robbery, burglary and related offenses. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Officer Setzer was a 15 year veteran of the Lower Merion Township Police Department at the time of his slaying. He was 37 years of age and is survived by his wife and three children. Every year since his death, the Police Department has hosted the Edward Setzer Memorial Golf Tournament in his honor.
Photo of Ed Setzer's name inscribed in the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Elwyn A. Fletcher - EOW: June 9, 1927
Officer Fletcher was killed in a motorcycle while attempting to stop a speeder on Montgomery Avenue in Ardmore. One of the tires on his motorcycle blew out, causing him to lose control of the motorcycle. He was thrown to the street and suffered severe injuries. He was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.
Photo of Elwyn A. Fletcher's name inscribed in the National Law Enforcment Officer Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Francis X. (Buck) Roy - EOW: July 3, 1924
Officer Roy succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two months earlier when he and another officer responded to a rally on the Haverford College campus in which 200 KKK members were burning a cross. The officers arrived as the rally ended and attempted to question two men who were leaving the scene. When they asked the man to stop one of them opened fire, striking Officer Roy in the leg and hip and the other officer in the chin.
For the next two months, Officer Roy drifted in and out of consciousness and had to have his leg amputated. He died on September 15, 1924, as a result of the wounds he sustained. Five men were tried and acquitted for his murder. Six months later, a janitor at the college admitted to being the shooter and was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison.
For the next two months, Officer Roy drifted in and out of consciousness and had to have his leg amputated. He died on September 15, 1924, as a result of the wounds he sustained. Five men were tried and acquitted for his murder. Six months later, a janitor at the college admitted to being the shooter and was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison.
Photo of Elwyn A. Fletcher's name inscribed in the National Law Enforcment Officer Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Master Sgt. Scott R. Ball - KIA- Afghanistan, August 27, 2007
Scott Ball served the citizens of Lower Merion Township as a Lower Merion Township Police officer from 1995-2000. Prior to joining the Lower Merion Township Police Department, he served in the 82nd Airborne Divison in Desert Storm. He was also a reserve officer with the Lower Allen Police Department. After his service in Desert Storm, he transferred to the Army National Guard. In 2000, Scott realized his dream of becoming a Pennyslvania State Trooper. During his career with the state police his station assignments included Media, York, and Chambersburg before ending up at the Carlisle station on July 6, 2002. He was a member of the State Police Motorcycle Unit and served as a field-training officer who mentored new troopers.
In early 2007, Scott's Army National Guard Unit, 55th Brigade from Scranton, Pennsylvania, was deployed to Afghanistan. Scott was involved in a resupply mission when the convoy came under attack. He and fellow national guard Sgt. Jan M. Argonish were killed protecting the convoy and holding off the insurgents. Scott was 38 at the time of his death and is survived by his wife Leslie and his two children, Tyler and Allie. Below are some photos of Scott, the first four are taken of him while he was a Lower Merion Township Police officer. The picture in the 2nd row (2nd photo- Scott is the one all the way to the left) was taken when he was a PA State Trooper and the last photo is of Scott several months prior to being killed in action. Scott's death deeply impacted all of us who were honored to know him or work with him. He was a cop's cop.
In early 2007, Scott's Army National Guard Unit, 55th Brigade from Scranton, Pennsylvania, was deployed to Afghanistan. Scott was involved in a resupply mission when the convoy came under attack. He and fellow national guard Sgt. Jan M. Argonish were killed protecting the convoy and holding off the insurgents. Scott was 38 at the time of his death and is survived by his wife Leslie and his two children, Tyler and Allie. Below are some photos of Scott, the first four are taken of him while he was a Lower Merion Township Police officer. The picture in the 2nd row (2nd photo- Scott is the one all the way to the left) was taken when he was a PA State Trooper and the last photo is of Scott several months prior to being killed in action. Scott's death deeply impacted all of us who were honored to know him or work with him. He was a cop's cop.
