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Incident
Detective Lynn Sutter was assigned to an undercover drug operation with a multi-agency task force when he was accidentally shot by another officer during a drug raid on Segar Road in Mount Lebanon Township. Detective Sutter and another officer had entered the basement of the home through a side door and had arrested a subject for being in possession of drugs. As Detective Sutter and his partner led the subject up a flight of steps to the kitchen, he was shot by another officer who was in the kitchen who mistook him for a subject. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he succumbed to his gunshot wound two days later. Detective Sutter had served with the Bethel Park Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his father and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sutter gave the Bethel Park Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bethel Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sutter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bethel Park Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Lynn is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Lynn is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lynn is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 2 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1987, 76 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1987, 95 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lynn was 41. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Lynn had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Lynn was 41. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lynn had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lynn was 41. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lynn had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 14.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Bethel Park Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bethel Park Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Lynn among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bethel Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
