Lebanon city police Lt. William Lebo was fatally shot on March 31 when he and three other officers responded to a domestic violence call at a home on the city’s northern fringe.
Lebo would have retired on May 1, according to Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello.
Two other officers, Ryan Adams and Derek Underkoffler, both 32 years old and seven-year veterans of the force, were shot and wounded. They remain hospitalized.
Underkoffler’s condition on the morning of April 1 was “critical but stable,” according to District Attorney Pier Hess Graf. Adams was in stable condition, Hess Graf said.
A fourth officer who responded was apparently not injured.
The suspect of the call, 34-year-old Travis Shaud, was killed at the scene by officers.
Details of the incident and identities of those involved were revealed at a press conference in the lobby of the Lebanon County-City Municipal Building called by Hess Graf on Friday morning. An initial press conference had been held Thursday night by Capello and city police Chief Todd Breiner.
Read More: Lebanon officer fatally shot; shooter dead; 2 other Lebanon officers injured
Standing before Breiner and his officers, Hess Graf said that police received a domestic disturbance call at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. The situation escalated shortly after the officers arrived at 1108 Forest St.
“While the initial call came in as a domestic disturbance, the police investigation later determined a forcible burglary occurred,” Hess Graf said. “Upon entering that residence, the police officers encountered immediate gunfire.”
Hess Graf said that the residence is owned by a relative of Shaud’s, but that he did not live there and hadn’t for years.
“When a family member returned home from work, he … found that Shaud had forcibly broken in to the rear of his home,” Hess Graf explained. “The family member spoke to law enforcement, and police responded. When police attempted to enter the residence, four officers encountered immediate gunfire.”
“Officers returned fire and Shaud was pronounced dead on scene,” the district attorney said. “One of the injured officers was able to radio for help.” Hess Graf said that surrounding police departments responded and carried the wounded to safety.
Attempts at the scene by fellow officers to save Lebo were unsuccessful, Hess Graf said. “Lt. Lebo lost his life yesterday in the line of duty.”
A search of the residence revealed multiple firearms. The gun Shaud used to shoot the officers came from the residence, according to Hess Graf.
According to Hess Graf, Shaud “suffered from a years-long history of mental illness and mental issues.”
“Family attempts to intervene and provide assistance were met with his utter resistance,” she said.
Court records show that Shaud faced Lebanon County criminal charges three times in the last decade.
In 2012 he pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Shaud was sentenced to 23 months of probation for a 2018 simple assault charge. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to undergo anger management and domestic violence counseling.
A third simple assault charge resulted in a 2020 sentence of 9 to 23 months in prison with similar domestic violence conditions.
Hess Graf said that Shaud had also been the subject of a protection from abuse order, which he violated.
Lebo appears to be just the third city police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
According to Lebanon Daily News archives, police Chief Aaron McCord was killed by a drunk shooter on March 28, 1890.
The Daily News also reported that Chief Cyrus Schaeffer was killed on Feb. 14, 1903, while apprehending a man who had just murdered his wife.
The investigation is continuing, according to Hess Graf.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.
More Top Stories
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
