Pennsylvania police officer killed in shooting was a month from retirement

LEBANON, Pa. — A Pennsylvania officer killed during a shooting on Thursday was one month from retirement, authorities said Friday.

>> Read more trending news

Lt. William Lebo, 63, a 40-year veteran of the Lebanon Police Department, was killed after officers responded to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said during a Thursday news conference. Two other officers were wounded and are in stable but critical condition, WGAL-TV reported.

Lebo was scheduled to retire from the force on May 1, the Lebanon Daily News reported.

“Lt. William Lebo, on March 31, 2022, made that ultimate sacrifice,” Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said during a news conference on Friday. “He laid down his life for his community, and for his brothers.”

The injured officers were identified as Ryan Adams, 32, and Derek Underkoffler, 32, WGAL reported. Both officers had been with the force for seven years, according to the television station.

Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said at Friday’s news conference said the man who opened fire on the officers was 34-year-old Travis Shaud. He was killed during the shootout, Graf said.

The shooting happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, WGAL reported. When police arrived at the scene, a man later identified as Schaud opened fire, according to WCAU-TV.

>> Pennsylvania officer killed, 2 wounded in shooting, mayor says

Graf said Shaud’s family owned the home where the shooting occurred, but Schaud did not live there. Graf said a family member returned to the home on Thursday and discovered that Schaud had broken in, WGAL reported. The relative called police, who responded to the home at at about 3:30 p.m. EDT.

“Police responded and attempted to enter the home. Shaud immediately opened fire upon four city police officers. Officers returned fire; Shaud was pronounced dead on scene,” according to a statement from the district attorney’s office. “One injured officer radioed for help. Surrounding police departments responded and carried the wounded to safety. Officers performed life-saving measures on Lt. Lebo to no avail.”

Lebo was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Lebo was promoted to lieutenant in March 2005, the Daily News reported. He received a commendation in 1995 for “action beyond the call of duty” when he and another officer were the first to respond to a murder/suicide call, according to the newspaper.

On Friday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered commonwealth flags at commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds to fly at half staff in honor of Lebo, the Daily News reported.

“My heart goes out to Lieutenant Lebo’s family, and to the families of the two officers injured in this shooting,” Wolf said in a news release. “Our commonwealth’s law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to serve and protect their communities. All of Pennsylvania joins the Lebanon community in mourning this tragedy.”

©2022 Cox Media Group