Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police George Kercher died as a result of complications due to gunshot wounds sustained during an arrest six years earlier.
He and his partner responded to a home on Broughton Road and caught two men in a house they had broken into while the owners were away on vacation. The officers handcuffed the suspects together and were escorting them to the patrol car when one of them produced a pistol and shot both officers, striking Chief of Police Kercher in the abdomen. Chief Kercher crawled to the car and called for help as the suspects fled on foot. Chief Kercher's partner, Patrolman Joseph Chmelynski, succumbed to his wounds four days later.
Hours later the suspects were spotted in South Park by three detectives. One of the suspects opened fire with a submachine gun when ordered to halt, wounding one of the detectives and critically wounding a citizen who was standing nearby. Nine hours later the suspects were captured as they got out of a taxi in New Eagle. The cab driver had signaled police that something was wrong in his cab.
Both suspects were found to be responsible for numerous burglaries. The suspect who shot Patrolman Chmelynski was convicted of his murder and sentenced to death on September 29th, 1948. He was executed in the electric chair on January 9th, 1950. The other suspect received a lengthy prison term for several counts of burglary.
Since the incident, Chief Kercher's health deteriorated and he had undergone several hospitalizations. He died while under care at Saint Margarets Hospital in Pittsburgh. An autopsy later revealed that the cause of death was due to uremic poisoning due to the original gunshot wound.
Chief Kercher was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Bethel Park Police for only a short time before the incident. He previously served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 15 years and worked as a county detective for the Allegheny County District Attorney for a combined total of 25 years in law enforcement.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-A6A597A5- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Chief of Police Kercher gave the Bethel Park Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bethel Park 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
George W. Kercher served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police George W. Kercher 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%.
At Bethel Park Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George W. Kercher's cause is highlighted.
How George W. Kercher Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1950
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George W. Kercher is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George W. Kercher was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bethel Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
