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Community mourns loss of St. Clair Township police officer killed in shooting

NEW FLORENCE, Pa. — The officer killed Saturday night in Westmoreland County has been identified as Lloyd Reed of the St. Clair Township Police Department.

Reed, 54, responded to a domestic call Saturday night at a residence on Ligonier Street in New Florence. That's where he was shot during an exchange of gunfire. He was transported from the scene to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, and the Cambria County Coroner's Office later pronounced him dead.

Authorities immediately instigated a manhunt in search of 31-year-old Ray Shetler, Jr. The manhunt lasted roughly six hours before Shetler was finally arrested early Sunday morning walking near a power plant outside of New Florence.

Shetler was being treated for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. He was charged Sunday afternoon with criminal homicide and remained in the hospital under constant guard.

On Monday morning, Channel 11 News confirmed that Shetler had been moved from the hospital to the Westmoreland County Jail.

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The fatal shooting occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. The residence in question is home to the woman involved in the domestic incident. She suffered minor injuries, and did not require a hospital visit.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephen Limani told Channel 11 overnight that Saturday wasn’t the first time police have interacted with Shetler.

“We’ve had other incidents where he’s been involved, but nothing of this nature,” Limani said.

Neighbor Alvin Payne lives close to the scene and said he came outside after hearing a series of loud pops.

“It sounded like firecrackers at first but I come out and it was over by then,” he said.

Reed had worked in law enforcement for 20 years, including five years with St. Clair.

Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held told Channel 11 that he and his deputies are manning the St. Clair police department as officers there mourn the death of one of their own.

“This is tough,” Held said. “Unfortunately this is becoming a nationwide trend that has hit close to home.”

Held called Reed a dedicated and hard-working officer who was very down-to-earth.

Channel 11 reporter Lori Houy said a flag at the St. Clair Township Police Department was lowered to half-staff Sunday morning in memory of the fallen officer.

A makeshift memorial has also been set up with residents placing flags and wreaths near the site of the shooting.

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Houy said a wreath has also been placed on Reed's police car at the St. Clair Township Police Department.

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Gov. Tom Wolf also ordered all flags in the capital complex and all flags at state facilities in Westmoreland County to be lowered to half-staff in memory of Reed.

"Thoughts and prayers are with family and colleagues of St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed, who was killed in the line of duty last night," Wolf said. "Today, and every day, we are reminded of those that make the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe."

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

State police in Greensburg will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Monday to talk further about the incident (CLICK HERE to watch that news conference live).

A funeral service for Reed will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the War Memorial, with the Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain for Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation, Dr. Jerry L. Keller & Leigh Applegate officiating.

Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Richland Township.

A memorial fund has already been established in Reed’s name. Anyone interested in donating can do so via PayPal by sending money to the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation.

WPXI

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