Roll of Honor
John David Dryer
Incident
Police Officer John Dryer was shot and killed as he and another officer made a traffic stop on I-70, near East Beau Street, in East Washington at approximately 11:00 pm.
As Officer Dryer and a second officer waited for a tow truck to arrive the man exited his vehicle and opened fire. Officer Dryer was shot in the head and fatally wounded, and the second officer was shot in the hand. Officer Dryer was transported to Washington Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 1:00 am.
The suspect fled the scene and barricaded himself in his home in Webster, Pennsylvania. After several hours the suspect exited his home and was shot and killed after opening fire on officers.
Officer Dryer had served as a part-time officer with the East Washington Borough Police Department for 16 months. He had previously served as a part-time officer with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Midway Borough Police Department, and Donegal Township Police Department for a total of 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his son and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-165F83E9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Dryer gave the East Washington Borough Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dryer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John David Dryer is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John David Dryer's cause is highlighted.
How John David Dryer Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John David Dryer is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John David Dryer was killed by gun; unknown type.