Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Olin Wait succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two months earlier while providing security at a local event. Patrolman Wait and two other officers were guarding the grounds of the Reading Air Show when a off duty officer opened fire on him without warning for unknown reasons. The suspect then opened fire on another officer before fatally shooting himself in the chest. The off duty officer was attending the air show with his wife and child when he opened fire. Patrolman Wait was a U.S Army veteran and had served with the Reading Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-D36E3085- 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 Olin. 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.
Patrolman Wait gave the Reading Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading 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
Olin J. Wait served in the Army (1968â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Olin J. Wait 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 Reading Police Department, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Olin J. Wait's cause is highlighted.
How Olin J. Wait Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Olin J. Wait is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Olin J. Wait was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Reading Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
