Paul D. Zechman, Jr., age 73, passed away August 18, 2024, with his wife Sharon by his side. Born in Lykens, PA to Paul D. Sr. and Marie (Harman) Zechman, he grew up in Lickdale and graduated from Northern Lebanon High School.
Paul enlisted in the Army in 1970 and was a Military Police Officer, Sentry Dog Handler with the 636 Ordnance Co., and a Provost Marshall Investigator. He served in the Vietnam war. After his military service, Paul joined North Cornwall Police Department as a Patrol Officer. During his time there he earned a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Corrections and a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice. Paul joined the Lebanon County Detective Bureau as a Detective, was promoted to Detective Sergeant, then earned the distinction of serving as Chief of the Lebanon County Detective Bureau under District Attorney Deirdre Eshleman.
While working for the County, Paul spearheaded the inception of the Lebanon County Drug Task Force and he helped establish the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
After retiring from the County, Paul worked for Information Network Associates Inc. (I.N.A.) of Harrisburg as a Security Consultant and as the Site Supervisor at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Paul was a lifetime member of the Lebanon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #42, serving as a past President.
Paul received many honors, awards, and distinctions over the years, but his proudest achievement was being called Grandpa by his grandson Austin, and being called Papa by his granddaughters LeeAnna and Ella.
Remaining to cherish his memory, Paul is survived by his wife Sharon M. (Youtz) Zechman, his daughter Michelle (Earl) Long, his son Michael (Shawna), his stepsons Nicholas (Katie) Basehore, and Joshua (Ryan) Basehore, and his beloved grandchildren Austin Long, and LeeAnna and Ella Basehore. Paul is also survived by a brother John D. Zechman.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.
Arrangements by Cremation Society of Pennsylvania
