Athens Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Friday, April 1, 1898
Add to My HeroesWilliam Stecker
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.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Tuesday, February 22, 1898
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Never apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsRest in peace Patrolman Steckler.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
April 21, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026


