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Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three grandsons.
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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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.
Corporal Witmer gave the Shamokin City Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shamokin community, and 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
David William Witmer served in the the United States military (1969â1974) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
David is the only officer of Shamokin Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 35. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. David had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
David was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Shamokin Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
David William Witmer served in the United States military (1969–1974) before joining law enforcement.
Visit David William Witmer’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Shamokin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.