Reading Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Saturday, September 2, 1972
Add to My HeroesOlin J. Wait
Patrolman Olin Wait succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two months earlier while providing security at a local event.
Patrolman Wait and two other officers were guarding the grounds of the Reading Air Show when a off duty officer opened fire on him without warning for unknown reasons. The suspect then opened fire on another officer before fatally shooting himself in the chest.
The off duty officer was attending the air show with his wife and child when he opened fire.
Patrolman Wait was a U.S Army veteran and had served with the Reading Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, June 9, 1972
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsI was 15 years old at the time. My little brother and I were about 20 yards away and witnessed this shooting.. Sad day..
Major V Potts USAF RET
Witness
October 17, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026

