Holly MatkinLebanon, PA – Lebanon City Police Department (LPD) Lieutenant William Lebo was murdered in the line of duty while confronting an armed suspect who forcibly entered a family member’s home Thursday afternoon, according to police.
The incident began at approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 31, when the LPD received a report of a domestic disturbance at 1108 Forest Street, Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said during a press conference on Friday morning.
Lt. Lebo, 63, was among the four officers who initially responded to the scene.
When they arrived, they discovered the suspect, 34-year-old Travis Shaud, had actually forcibly broken into the residence, which belonged to one of his family members, according to police.
The family member placed the call to police after returning home and finding Shaud inside his house.
The officers immediately came under fire when they entered the residence, Graf told reporters.
They returned fire and struck Shaud, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Lt. Lebo and two other LPD officers were wounded during the shootout.
One of them was able to radio for help.
Law enforcement officers from multiple surrounding agencies swarmed the area and carried the wounded officers to safety, Graf said.
They attempted lifesaving efforts on Lt. Lebo, but he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
The other two wounded LPD officers were listed in critical but stable condition Friday morning.
Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello identified them as 32-year-old Officer Ryan Adams and 32-year-old Officer Derek Underkoffler, both of whom have been with the department for seven years.
Graf said Shaud’s family told police they have been trying to assist him in accepting help for his mental health issues for many years, but that they were repeatedly met with “utter resistance.”
Investigators determined the firearm Shaud used to shoot the officers was obtained from inside the home he broke into, according to the district attorney.
The suspect was previously convicted of multiple offenses, including domestic assault and violation of a protection order, Graf said.
Lt. Lebo devoted 40 years of his life to his law enforcement career.
He was scheduled to retire on May 1, just one month away from the day he was murdered.
“Every time a police officer responds to a call, he risks his life. Every single time,” Graf told reporters Friday morning. “He responds knowing that upon entering that scene, upon encountering the suspect, he may pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community – to keep each one of us safe.”
Lt. Lebo made that “ultimate sacrifice,” she said.
“He laid down his life for our community and for his [fellow law enforcement officers],” Graf said.
She noted that all first responders who went to the scene that day “acted with utter bravery.”
“The actions of every officer, every man and woman on scene, every medic, deserves to be commended for the fearless action they took yesterday,” Graf said.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Lebanon City Police Department, the family members of the fallen, and the family members of the wounded,” she told reporters.
LPD Chief Todd Breiner said Thursday night that the deadly attack has been traumatizing for his department.
“Our guys are strong but we’re human and we have families and people were injured today,” Chief Breiner said, according to WGAL. “We’re all affected by this. And with the help of our families and every other law enforcement officer around this country, we’ll get through it.”
Today, we mourn the loss of Lebanon City Police Lieutenant William Lebo, a 40 year veteran of the force who was planning to retire in May. Please join me in praying for Lt. Lebo's family, friends, and fellow officers. pic.twitter.com/Bmv89TeDn8
— John Joyce, M.D. (@RepJohnJoyce) April 1, 2022
Lebanon County authorities say Lebanon police Lt. William Lebo was shot and killed Thursday afternoon during a domestic disturbance at 1108 Forest Street @PennLive pic.twitter.com/hbWjQbSGVv
— Jenna Wise (@JennaRWise) April 1, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lebanon City Police Department Lieutenant William Lebo, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Lieutenant William Lebo, your life mattered.
Sandy Malone
