Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 24, 1973
Age: 60
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: October 24, 1973
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Land Management Officer Woodrow Portzline suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating reports of trespassing and poaching at a farm.
After speaking with the property owner, Officer Portzline was directed to a nearby vacant house where the suspects were believed to be hiding. As Officer Portzline quickly approached the home, he collapsed and died at the scene.
Officer Portzline was a United States Army Air Corps WWII veteran and United States Air Force veteran, earning the Purple Heart and Silver Star, who served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.