Slain officer laid to rest
JOHNSTOWN — A Western Pennsylvania police officer who was shot while responding to a domestic dispute never sought credit for the work he did, friends and colleagues said Friday at his funeral.
Hundreds of police officers from around the country turned out to pay tribute to 54-year-old St. Clair Officer Lloyd Reed.
Friends recalled how Reed would help fix a broken-down car, search for a lost dog or help someone with a medical problem during his police shifts.
“Lloyd died the way he lived — trying to help somebody,” St. Clair police Capt. Donald Hess said. “He demonstrated incredible courage during his last call.”
Ray Shetler Jr., 31, is charged with killing Reed after police were called to Shetler’s home in New Florence on Nov. 28.
Shetler told police he returned fire when Reed shot at him as he left home with a hunting rifle. However, police believe Reed fired when the suspect ignored commands to drop the weapon.
Reed had spent 20 years with another local police department before it disbanded and he took the part-time job in St. Clair. The latter did not come with benefits or insurance, so friends are raising funds for his family.
Officers from as far away as Canada and California attended the funeral at the Cambria County War Memorial.
