St. Clair Twp. Mourning Loss Of Fallen Officer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The tight-knit community of St. Clair Township is now in mourning and paying tribute to Officer Lloyd Reed.

It is clear the 54-year-old won't be forgotten.

He served the St. Clair Township community as a police officer for the past five years. However, he's been a police officer for a total of 25 years.

Reed's obituary says he was a U.S. Army veteran and started his career as an officer at Seven Springs Borough. He then moved on to Hooversville and Seward before ending watch with St. Clair Township Saturday night.

"So sad for the police officer's family. I mean, I can just imagine what they're going through. It's got to be tragic," Carrie Oliver said.

Oliver has worked at Ideal Market in Seward for the past 19 years. While she didn't know Officer Reed personally, she said he made a lasting impression.

"He will be surely missed in this community. He's been around protecting us for several years," Oliver said.

On Monday, officers from all over the region gathered at the St. Clair Township Police Department to help with funeral plans, support and fundraising efforts. Right outside, Officer Reed's cruiser became a memorial all its own in front of the police station.

"I can't thank everybody enough in the area and all over Western Pa. and beyond. Everyone has been great," said Capt. Donald Hess, of the St. Clair Township Police Department.

"This is outside of his service in uniform. This is a man who was committed to serving others all the time," said Drew Volchko, of the Police Benevolent Fund.

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

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

"I got it pulled off the side of the road. He came maybe five minutes later and stayed with me until my husband got there, then stayed with me when my husband went and called the tow truck," she said. "I told him I'd be fine he said, 'Oh no, you're on Seward stretch. I'm not leaving you.'"

Ashley McElwee knew the man accused of shooting and killing Officer Reed, 31-year-old Ray Shetler Jr.

"I've known Ray probably since I was 15 and I'm 30 now. I went to school with him. I mean, we used to hang out and stuff," she said.

She said he was the type of guy that would give the shirt off his back, but she doesn't know what went through his mind Saturday night.

"I just didn't think he was capable of shooting a cop," McElwee said.

Officer Reed's obituary goes on to say that he was an avid trout fisherman, a NASCAR fan, a Steelers fan, and had a passion for working on cars.

His funeral is being held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, which is also in Johnstown.

The Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation is collecting donations to help Officer Reed's widow, Rose.

Contributions can be made to Washington Financial on Washington Road in McMurray.

Please indicate that the donation is for the "Lloyd Reed Jr. Fund."

Donations can also be mailed to either of the following locations:

WPPBF
C/O Tim Kreger
337 Winners Circle
Canonsburg, PA 15317

Washington Financial
C/O Lloyd Reed Jr.
3616 Washington Road
McMurray, PA 15317

You can also make a donation online by visiting the foundation's website: http://www.wppbf.org/

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