Roll of Honor
David Lynn Grove
Incident
Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was shot and killed on Schriver Road, near Red Rock Road, in Freedom Township, Adams County, at approximately 10:45 pm.
Officer Grove was in the area to investigate reports of ongoing night-time shooting and poaching. He had stopped a suspected poacher just south of Gettysburg National Military Park. As he handcuffed the man, a struggle ensued, and the subject opened fire on Officer Grove with a .45 caliber handgun, striking him four times. Although mortally wounded, Officer Grove was able to return fire, wounding the suspect in the hip. The suspect fled the scene with the handcuffs still on his left wrist.
The suspect, who was a convicted felon, was captured the following morning at a nearby hunting camp and charged with Officer Grove's murder. He stated that he shot Officer Grove because he didn't want to return to prison.
On October 2, 2012, the subject was convicted of first-degree murder in connection. He was subsequently sentenced to death.
The officer had served as a full-time wildlife conservation officer with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for three years and had previously served as a part-time officer with the agency for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DC42692F- 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.
Wildlife Conservation Officer Grove gave the Pennsylvania Game Commission 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Conservation Officer Grove.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Wildlife Conservation Officer David Lynn Grove 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 Pennsylvania Game Commission, 5 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Lynn Grove's cause is highlighted.
How David Lynn Grove Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Lynn Grove is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Lynn Grove was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.
