Shamokin City Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, November 13, 1983
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 9 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 3
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 13, 1983
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.06
Suspect Info: Deceased
Corporal David Witmer was shot and killed when he answered a mutual aid call from the Zerbe Township police chief.
The shooter went into a jealous rage when his ex-girlfriend received an obscene phone call. He set fire to what he believed was his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend's auto-body garage located in the small anthracite coal region town of Trevorton, Pennsylvania.
The suspect then went stalking through the neighborhood from house to house. Holding up in the shadows, he fired a volley of shots that lasted for approximately 20 minutes. Corporal Witmer died almost instantly after being struck in the neck by a .30-.06 caliber rifle shot. Another officer was wounded, but survived.
After killing Corporal Witmer, the suspect tried to flee the scene in his tractor trailer. He was apprehended by officers from the Shamokin City Police Department, Coal Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died in prison on October 12th, 2013.
Corporal Witmer was a U.S Military veteran had served with the Shamokin City Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three grandsons.