Holly MatkinDouglassville, PA – West Pottsgrove Township Police Department (WPPD) Chief Matthew Stofflet died unexpectedly at his home on Dec. 27, according to his department.
“It is with deep sadness and sorrow that the West Pottsgrove Township Police Department announces the untimely passing of Police Chief Matthew Stofflet on December 27th, 2020,” the department said in a Facebook post the following day.
“Chief Stofflet was an asset to our department and strived on the principles of community-oriented policing,” the post read. “He will be greatly missed by not only his fellow officers, but his family and the community that he’s proudly served.”
The 47-year-old police chief’s exact cause of death was not released.
Chief Stofflet’s life of public service began in 1991, when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, WPPD said.
He completed his military service at the rank of corporal, then went on to earn a degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University, according to his obituary.
Chief Stofflet went to work for the Montgomery County Correctional Facility as a correctional emergency response team (CERT) officer from 1996 until 2005.
He also served as a federal police officer at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, according to his obituary.
Chief Stofflet went on to work for the Spring City Police Department before joining the WPPD in 2007.
“After the Marine Corps, I knew my direction was public service,” he told The Mercury back in 2015, shortly after he was sworn in as chief of the department. “I never realized as a farm boy from Boyertown that I would be where I am.”
He had been serving as interim chief for approximately nine months by that time.
“I credit my dad, my mentor, who said ‘Stay working. Keep moving forward,’” Chief Stofflet told The Mercury. “I enjoy what I do. It’s satisfying but unexpected and I’m happy to be here for the residents.”
He leaves behind his son, Nick, and his daughters, Madi and Sam, according to his obituary.
Chief Stofflet is also survived by his children’s mother, his granddaughter and his two yet-to-be-born grandsons, as well as his siblings, nieces, nephews, stepmother, step-siblings, “his beloved dog Pepper,” and many friends and extended family members, according to the tribute.
He will be laid to rest on Jan. 6.
Our sincerest condolences go out to the West Pottsgrove Township Police Department and the family and friends of Chief Matthew Stofflet.
Thank you for your incredible life of service to the community, Chief. Sending all our love 💙 pic.twitter.com/mfPDnwBYWM
— Collegeville Bakery (@CvilleItalBake) December 29, 2020
W. Pottsgrove Officer Robert Radswillas, Det. Tim Roedner & Chief Matt Stofflet being honored by Montco Emergency Scv pic.twitter.com/CuLhSGHAqr
— Evan Brandt (@PottstownNews) November 1, 2017
On behalf of the FBI-LEEDA Board of Directors,Executive Director, staff, and membership, we offer our sincerest condolences to the @WestPottsgrovePD,the community, family, and friends of Chief Matthew Stofflet.He was an active member of FBI-LEEDA & a well-respected police leader pic.twitter.com/vMNpmgIr07
— FBI-LEEDA (@FBILEEDA) December 30, 2020
Sincere condolences on passing of West Pottsgrove (PA) Police Chief Matt Stofflet, Session 275 and member of @e_fbinaa, a nearby chapter with a strong bond to #FBINAANJ.
Thoughts & prayers to #FBINA members, and all who knew him.#FBINationalAcademy #NationalAcademy #Quantico pic.twitter.com/nXx9fz5GsQ
— FBINAANJ – FBI National Academy Assoc. NJ Chapter (@fbinaanj) December 29, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of West Pottsgrove Township Police Department Chief Matthew Stofflet, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
