Detective Lynn Russell Sutter, 41, a 19-year veteran of the Bethel Park Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on March 28, 1987. He was taking part in an undercover drug operation with a multi-agency task force when the fatal shooting occurred during a raid on Segar Road in Mount Lebanon Township.

Sutter and another officer had apprehended a suspect in the residence basement and were escorting the individual upstairs to the kitchen when an officer waiting in the kitchen mistook Sutter for the suspect and fired a single shot. Sutter was taken to Allegheny General Hospital but died two days later from his wound. The death was officially ruled a tragic case of friendly fire; no arrests or criminal suspects were named.

Anyone who served with Detective Sutter or was involved in that operation and can share further details about the circumstances or the task force’s protocols is asked to come forward.