Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

David T. Hancock

Montgomery Township Police Department — Montgomeryville, PA

Felonious

End of Watch December 11, 1976

Age 41

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 118 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman David Hancock was shot and killed after responding to a silent alarm at the JC Penny store at Montgomery Mall. Patrolman Hancock was arresting a 19-year-old man when the subject grabbed his gun and shot him in the head. The man was arrested, convicted of Patrolman Hancock's murder, and sentenced to life in prison. He received an additional seven to 13 years for two prior burglaries and drug possession. Patrolman Hancock had served with the Montgomery Township Police Department for 11 years and had previously served with the Whitpain Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two young children. his father had also served previously served as a police officer.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two young children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-53DBF1A3
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.
Patrolman Hancock gave the Montgomery Township Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montgomeryville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hancock.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Montgomery Township Police Department

Location Montgomeryville, PA

Platform Identity mtpd.montgomery.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 11, 1976

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman David T. Hancock 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%.

Montgomery Township Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David T. Hancock's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How David T. Hancock Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David T. Hancock is highlighted in Dec.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David T. Hancock was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518