Lebanon post office dedicated to fallen police officer Lt. William Lebo

The community gathered Thursday afternoon for a ceremony dedicating the Lt. William D. Lebo Post Office Building, newly named for a Lebanon city police officer who fell in the line of duty.

Congressman Dan Meuser first introduced bill HR 3865 (renaming the post office the “Lieutenant William D. Lebo Post Office Building”) to the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2023, after which it was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and was signed by President Joe Biden in May 2024.

Lebo’s widow Lora said Thursday would have been her husband’s 67th birthday, which is why the date was selected for the dedication.

Lora thanked Meuser for his efforts and expediency in getting the bill passed. Though Meuser had planned to attend the ceremony, a representative from his office explained via email that he had been called to the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump “to discuss a matter very important to Pennsylvania.”

“It was my honor — and the honor of our congressional office — to get legislation passed renaming this facility the Lt. William D. Lebo Post Office,” read a statement by Meuser, who apologized for not being able to make the ceremony in person. “This post office will serve as a permanent symbol of recognition for his courageous service to our community.”

Though Lebo was by many accounts a humble man who did not seek the limelight, Lora has since his passing dedicated herself to honoring his legacy and values, from a scholarship geared at applicants who hope to enrich the community through their education to involvement in events such as the annual Umbrella Walk.

Read More: Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at third annual Umbrella Walk honoring Lt. Lebo

“I love to celebrate Bill and all the wonderful things he was,” Lora said in a tearful speech. “He loved his job and loved serving his community. … There was a man who had a powerful sense of integrity, knew his values, and lived by them — not to mention he had a wonderful sense of humor.

“Most of all, Bill believed in community policing. He believed in forming relationships and knowing the people who live and work in the city. Many times, he was called from our home on his own time to go speak to someone who needed help. I know these people and have heard their stories of the good he did. Bill felt very strongly that we need to actively support our police in word and in deed. I agree.”

Lora urged first responders to wear their hats while on duty and outdoors in honor of her husband, who was a stickler for hat etiquette.

“He wore his hat when outside so that anyone needing help would be able to spot him and run toward him,” said Lora, before addressing other first responders directly. “You are the community’s beacon of safety.”

Lebanon city police Captain Eric Sims described Lebo, who served in the LCPD for 40 years before his death just a month from retirement, as a man “content to stay in the background,” who did good deeds “not to get ahead, not for recognition, but simply because it was the right thing to do.”

“If I could tell Bill that the post office in his town was going to be named after him, he would laugh and shake his head, in the same way so many of you would recognize; half in disbelief, half in jest that a post office even needed to be named after somebody,” mused Sims. “But I believe, if you looked closely, you’d see a flicker of pride in his eyes, too.”

The ceremony opened and closed with remarks and prayers from police Chaplain Dean Cover.

“Bill Lebo was a real hero, having served four decades in law enforcement,” said Cover. “Bill wore a badge and he carried a gun, but his greatest weapon was honor, duty, service, sacrifice, and compassion. The Bible verse, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God,’ is used to express appreciation for all those in law enforcement who are seen as peace officers due to their role in maintaining order and resolving conflicts.”

A variety of elected officials and public servants were attendance Thursday, sat under a tent shielding them from the weather, when USPS district manager Eddie Masangcay unveiled the commemorative plaque.

“The Lebanon post office has served this community for 233 years; it is only fitting that this building will be named after Lt. Lebo, who epitomized the mission statement of the Lebanon Police Department,” said Masangcay, explaining the department’s motto of Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Teamwork (FIRST).