Edward J. Shadder

Date: 5/23/2021          Location: Williams Township, PA     FACTORS (1,2,3,4,12,14,15,19)      

Name: Edward James Shadder                                

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown./Yes, Shadder had just sexually and physically assaulted his wife.           

Mental Illness: Shadder’s behavior was violent and erratic, his neighbors described him as “running around naked, acting crazy.”

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./Yes, Shadder’s wife reported he “was on drugs at the time of the incident.”

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/55

Officer(s) involved: Unnamed Pennsylvania State Trooper                                                           

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 2:30 p.m. on May 23, 2021, a Pennsylvania State Trooper responded to a 911 hang-up call which ended up being a violent domestic dispute where Edward Shadder was attacking his wife.

Actions taken by subject towards police: As soon as the trooper pulled up to the incident location, Shadder ran toward him, prompting the trooper to order Shadder to get on the ground. Shadder refused to comply and was tased, but quickly shook off the electric shock and started assaulting the trooper. The trooper’s second attempt tasing Shadder also failed so he then deployed his ASP-expandable baton which Shadder managed to gain control over and started choking the trooper with from behind.

Reactions by the police: Feeling like he was about to pass out from being choked, the trooper pulled out his gun at which time Shadder pushed away from him and started towards his wife. Fearing Shadder was going to kill the woman, the trooper shot him twice, killing him.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: After reviewing all the evidence, District Attorney Terry Houck declared the trooper was justified to use deadly force.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Been on the proper psychological medications for his condition and/or not used illegal/non-prescribed substances; Not sexually and physically assault his wife; Comply with the trooper’s commands and gotten down on the ground instead of violently attacking him.

Miscellaneous: The trooper was immediately attacked and forced to make a life-or-death decision to use deadly force in less than a minute upon arriving at the scene.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, the trooper exhausted the use of force continuum, had been brutally attacked and nearly choked out after having his baton forcibly stolen from him, making him reasonably fearful for his life and that of Shadder’s helpless wife.