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Incident
Lieutenant Eric Eslary was killed in a vehicle collision on Route 30, near Clark Hollow Road, at approximately 2:00 am.
His patrol SUV was struck head-on by a van driving the wrong way on the divided highway. His canine partner suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery at an emergency animal hospital. The two occupants of the van were critically injured. The driver of the van was sentenced to 12 to 30 years in prison in early 2017.
Lieutenant Eslary had served with the Ligonier Township Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Lieutenant Eslary gave the Ligonier Township Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ligonier community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Eslary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ligonier Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Eric is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Eric is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eric was 40. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Eric was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.4%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Ligonier Township Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Ligonier Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ligonier Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
