Suspect in Pa. officer's death caught after six-hour search

NEW FLORENCE, Pa. - A man suspected of fatally shooting a Western Pennsylvania police officer responding to a domestic dispute has been charged with homicide.

Online court records show Ray Shetler Jr. was charged Sunday with one count of criminal homicide. He was awaiting arraignment Sunday afternoon.

Police say Shetler shot St. Clair Township Officer Lloyd Reed after police were called to the domestic situation in New Florence on Saturday night. Reed, who had been an officer for more than 20 years, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A woman involved in the domestic dispute suffered minor injuries, police said.

The suspect, 31, was captured early Sunday while walking near a power plant outside New Florence, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, after a six-hour manhunt. He was treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

Shetler also will be charged with two other counts related to the domestic situation, Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Reed arrived at the scene and identified himself as a police officer before shots were fired, Peck said.

"This is another horrible tragedy that brings to light how difficult a police officer's job can be on a daily basis," Peck said.

County Sheriff Jonathan Held described Reed as "a dedicated officer, down to earth. He really cared for the community. It's hard when it hits your own backyard. It really is tough. But, unfortunately, it seems to be happening more and more today."

Reed worked at the St. Clair department - which employs all part-time officers - for about five years.

Gov. Wolf ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all state buildings in the slain officer's honor.