E. Washington Officer Shot, Killed During Traffic Stop

EAST WASHINGTON, Pa.,None — A man police said shot and killed an officer in Washington County Sunday night was killed in a standoff after the shooting.

VIDEO: Officers Shot During Traffic Stop On I-70

Eli Franklin Myers, 58, was shot dead after a gun battle with state police at his home on Logan Street in the village of Webster, police said.

State police said they located Myers, a former West Newton police officer, at his house, where he barricaded himself inside. Police said Myers then left his house and engaged police with a weapon, at which time members of the SERT team fatally shot him.

Neighbors said they could hear police trying to get Myers out of the home.

"I heard them pumping a bunch of CS gas in there and then they were telling him over the loud speaker to stay down and then after that they told him to come out with his hands up," said neighbor Pat Creighton. "I guess he come to the door with a long gun and that's when they opened fire on him."

Police charged Myers with killing East Washington Officer John David Dryer during a traffic stop on Interstate 70. Officer Robert Caldwell, who was backing up Dryer, was shot in the hand. Caldwell is expected to make a full recovery.

Officer John David Dryer Officer John David Dryer Officer John David Dryer

Police said Dryer and Caldwell pulled over Myers and were waiting for a tow truck when the suspect opened fire.

Police said Caldwell called for backup and said both he and Dryer were hit and the officers needed to proceed with caution. The officer said he returned fire but didn't think he hit the suspect.

"I saw a body lying near the side of the road, and the gentleman was given CPR or doing chest compressions to him," said a motorist. "A few seconds later, a police officer came up to me and asked me to back up as close to (a) tractor-trailer as possible, that they were calling in a MedEvac helicopter, and the helicopter left a few minutes later."

"(East Washington) only (has) several officers," said Trooper Joe Christy. "To have two officers shot: one killed, one injured, is a real tragedy."

In a photo obtained by Channel 11 News, Dryer is seen wearing a shirt that says "All gave some and some gave all." Dryer's friends said those words describe him perfectly.

"No matter day or night he was there for anyone, anything, animal or human. He was just a wonderful man," said Dennis Ingram.

Dryer was a police officer, a father and a veterinarian at a Washington clinic where a wreath draped with a thin blue line was hung on the door on Monday.

Ingram said Dryer was one of a kind and a lifesaver in many ways.

"We called Dave and he came out. I brought the dog down on a Friday night and the dog lived another nine years. He saved the dog's life," said Ingram. "He was a hero in my book. I just want to say God bless the Dryer family and you are in our prayers."

Gov. Tom Corbett ordered all Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities in Washington County to fly at half-staff.

The governor's order will remain in effect until the date of Dryer's burial.

Officer Dryer will be laid out at Neal Funeral Home on Allison Avenue: Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Officer Dryers' funeral service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church Friday at 2 p.m.

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