Police Gather In Newtown To Remember A Fallen Officer

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The members of the Newtown Borough and Newtown Township Police Departments paused Friday morning to honor the memory of Officer Brian Gregg who was killed in the line of duty 18 years ago on Sept. 29, 2005.

"Our prayers are with his family and friends on this day. May we never forget his sacrifice," the departments posted on Facebook.

Officer Gregg was shot and killed on Sept. 29, 2005, in the emergency department at St. Mary Medical Center after a prisoner gained possession of another officer's service weapon and shot Gregg in the head.

Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn and Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath and officers from both departments at the gravesite of Officer Brian Gregg. (Facebook posting)

Officer Gregg had just started as a full-time officer after serving as a part-time officer with the four-person department for a year.

Gregg was born in Bristol and grew up in Levittown. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School (Harry S Truman High School), the Bucks County Community College, Ferris State University, and the Middlesex Fire Academy.

For 15 years, Gregg worked as a contractor and owned his own business in the area. He then pursued his ambition of becoming a police officer graduating from the Temple University Police Academy in 2002.

Gregg was hired by Newtown Borough as a part-time officer in 2003. He was later sworn in a full-time officer in October 2004.

“Brian truly loved his community and he was proud to serve the town of Newtown,” read his obituary. “He never hesitated to answer the call to duty or to help others.”

Earlier this year the department rolled out its newest patrol vehicle painted with a yellow ribbon containing Gregg's name and badge number, which has been permanently retired by the department.

“Officer Gregg is always in our minds and hearts. This is just another way of keeping his memory alive and remembering the ultimate sacrifice he made to our community,” said Chief James Sabath, adding that all of the department’s future patrol vehicles will display the special ribbon.

Other tributes to Gregg have included the dedication of a borough park in his memory on North Congress Street and the naming of a portion of the Newtown Bypass between South State Street and Durham Road in his memory in April 2014.