Lower Merion remembers Officer Edward Setzer 38 years after line-of-duty death

Setzer, a 15-year veteran of the department, was fatally shot while searching for a burglary suspect in 1988. His name and sacrifice remain a lasting part of the department nearly four decades later.

The Lower Merion Township Police Department is marking the 38th anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Officer Edward M. Setzer, who was fatally shot while investigating a burglary suspect on Sept. 30, 1988.

Setzer joined the department on Aug. 3, 1973, and had served Lower Merion for 15 years when he was killed at age 37.

The encounter occurred around 10:30 a.m. as Setzer assisted with the search for a man suspected in a burglary in the Gladwyne area. Township records say Setzer stopped to investigate an unoccupied vehicle along the road before encountering the suspect. A struggle followed, and Setzer was shot in the chest.

Court records provide additional details about what happened that morning.

According to a Pennsylvania appellate court decision, Kendall Hatfield, then 23, had unsuccessfully attempted to enter a Bryn Mawr home shortly before the shooting. He then entered another nearby residence, attacked a woman, forced her into a closet and stole money before fleeing.

Setzer encountered Hatfield near the intersection of Mount Pleasant and Waverly roads while investigating the earlier attempted burglary. As Setzer tried to determine his identity, a description of the wanted suspect was being broadcast over police radio.

According to the court record, Hatfield attacked Setzer when the officer reached toward his gun. During the struggle, Hatfield got on top of Setzer, pinned his arms and took the officer’s firearm. He then shot Setzer once in the chest and fled. Setzer died from the wound.

Hatfield was later apprehended and charged with murder, robbery, burglary and related offenses. He was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Setzer left behind a wife and three children.

His death has continued to hold a prominent place in the history of the Lower Merion Police Department.

A memorial plaque was installed near Mount Pleasant and Waverly roads in 2007, close to where Setzer was killed. The department has also held the Edward Setzer Memorial Golf Tournament in his honor each year since his death.

In 2000, Lower Merion took another step to permanently commemorate Setzer when the township’s Public Safety Building was renamed in his honor.

Setzer is among the Lower Merion officers memorialized by the department for losing their lives in the line of duty. His name is also inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, 38 years after his death, Lower Merion Police again honored Setzer and reflected on his 15 years of service to the township.

The department said the annual remembrance is intended to ensure that Setzer’s service, courage and sacrifice remain part of Lower Merion’s collective memory nearly four decades after his death.