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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of East Washington Borough Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 46. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at East Washington Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 4.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from East Washington Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.