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Incident
Police Officer Stecker succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on February 22nd, 1898, when he interrupted a burglary of the U.S. Post Office, at the intersection of Main Street and Elmira Street.
He caught several mean attempting to break into the front door of the post office on Main Street at approximately 3:00 am. One of the man opened fire on him, striking him in the head. Despite his wound, he and several citizens chased the suspects a short distance before losing sight of them.
Officer Stecker was taken to a local doctor's office and then transported to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. He succumbed to the wound on April 1st, 1898, while still in the hospital.
The subjects involved in the burglary were never apprehended.
Police Officer Stecker was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Police Officer Stecker was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Stecker served with the Athens Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Athens Borough Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 49. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
William was 49. 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.
William was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Athens 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 52% of all 33,917 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 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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