Police from across Bucks County Monday paid tribute to fallen comrades as part of National Police Week.
The day-long ceremonies began with a police Honor Guard in Bristol Township Municipal Building around 9 a.m. before heading to similar events in Bensalem and Middletown Townships.
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Police plan to end the day with a special Bucks County Police Memorial Ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Newtown.
“As police officers, one of the things we do is live by dates, by days and historical events,” Bristol Township Acting Police Chief Lt. John Godzieba told fellow officers as the police bagpipes played “Amazing Grace” in the background.
Godzieba paid special tribute to Bristol Township police Detective George Stuckey, who was killed during a traffic stop not far from police headquarters on March 29, 1972.
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Stuckey had pulled over three men who had just robbed a bank in Levittown, according to Officer Down Memorial web page.
One of the three suspects opened fire, killing Stuckey on the spot.
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The three were captured and sent to prison. The man who fatally shot Stuckey was sentenced to life in prison.
He escaped from prison twice by wearing smuggled civilian clothes, and walking out the prison.
The first time he was captured in Canada, and returned. He was caught in Tunisia after the second escape and returned to the US to complete his sentence.
