On December 19th, Mayor Demond Nixon, Chief Dave Bradley, Acting Chief Tim Kriger along with officers Geno Pisciottano, Eric Holt, John Beckus, Dan Florian, and Von Lacock held a private ceremony to honor Officer John David Dryer. A wreath was laid on his bench in the East Washington Memorial Park at 11:00 PM the moment Police Officer John Dryer was shot and killed as he and another officer made a traffic stop on I-70, near East Beau Street, at approximately 11:00 PM in 2011.

Officer Dryer had served as a part-time officer with the East Washington Borough Police Department at the time of his end of watch. Dr. Dryer graduated from Avella High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Science Degree from The Ohio State University. Dr. Dryer had worked as an equine veterinarian throughout North America for the Heinz Hitch. He also owned and operated Chestnut Veterinary Clinic in Washington for the past 10 years and was a State Game Commission enforcement officer. In addition to being a veterinarian, Dr. Dryer worked for the past two years as an East Washington Borough police officer. Prior to his employment with the borough, he was a police officer for Donegal Township and Midway. He was certified in K-9 training and tracking with bloodhounds.

The residents of East Washington will never forget your sacrifice on this day.

Photo credit to Jaycee Nixon