Newtown Borough Rolls Out New Vehicle With Tribute To Slain Officer

© Newtown Borough Police Department The tribute, including a blue ribbon and Officer Brian Gregg's retired badge number, is on the front side panel of the vehicle.

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Whenever the members of the Newtown Borough Police Force go out on patrol or respond to an emergency in their new vehicle they will now be carrying the memory of their slain colleague, Brian Gregg, with them

On Friday, the department rolled out its new patrol vehicle containing a tribute to Newtown Borough Police Officer Brian Gregg (Badge No. 5103) who was killed in the line of duty in 2005.

“Officer Gregg is always in our minds and hearts. This is just another way of keeping his memory alive and to remember the ultimate sacrifice he made to our community,” said Chief James Sabath.

Officer Gregg's badge number 51-03 was permanently retired at the time of his passing.

“All of the department’s future patrol vehicles will also display the special ribbon,” said the chief.

Officer Gregg was shot and killed on Sept. 29, 2014 after a prisoner was able to gain possession of his partner's service weapon at St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown Township.

The 46-year-old officer and his partner were guarding a suspect who had been arrested earlier in the evening for drunk driving and had been taken to the hospital to undergo blood and urine tests. While in the emergency room, the man began to struggle with the officers. He gained control of the second officer's service weapon and opened fire, striking Officer Gregg in the chest.

The man also shot the second officer in the chest and wounded a hospital technician. The prisoner then walked up to Officer Gregg who was on the ground, and shot him in the head, killing him.

The man fled the emergency room and was located about an hour later hiding in a car in the hospital's parking garage. He was taken into custody and charged with one count of capital murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death on Nov. 17, 2006.

Officer Gregg had just started as a full-time officer after serving as a part-time officer with the four person department for one 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 to become a police officer graduating from the Temple University Police Academy in 2002.

Gregg was hired as a part time officer with Newtown Borough in 2003. He was later hired as 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.”

In April 2014 a portion of the Newtown Bypass between South State Street and Durham Road was renamed the Officer Gregg Memorial Bypass.p

The borough also dedicated a park in his memory on North Congress Street.

The article Newtown Borough Rolls Out New Vehicle With Tribute To Slain Officer appeared first on Newtown Patch.