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Matthew Arnold Seckinger
Incident
Lieutenant Matthew Seckinger was killed in a vehicle crash shortly before midnight on Route 322, one mile north of the borough line, while investigating two hitchhikers.
He was en route home at the completion of his shift when he observed the two men on the side of the road. He pulled over to investigate and as he backed his vehicle into a service station his vehicle was struck by a second car.
He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a local hospital.
Lieutenant Seckinger was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the State College Borough Police Department for 26 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Matthew is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Lieutenant Seckinger gave the State College Borough Police Department 26 years.
Thank you for your service to the State College community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Matthew Arnold Seckinger served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Matthew is the only officer of State College Borough Police Department remembered here.
Matthew is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Matthew 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 1968, 4 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Matthew was 59. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Matthew was 59. 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. Matthew had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 59. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.2% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at State College Borough Police Department.
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.
Where
Military Service
Matthew Arnold Seckinger served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Matthew Arnold Seckinger’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from State College Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.