A plaque dedicated Tuesday at the Montgomery Township police station honors Officer David Hancock, who was killed while on duty. Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Chief Richard Brady said it was a great loss for the police department, but a greater loss for his son and daughter.

“They and their deceased mother are the ones that made a sacrifice each and every day of their lives.  They did not get to enjoy their father being with them as they grew up to teach them, to grow with them and to be with them.  They are the ones that really have a lasting loss and for whom we should not forget.”

He was shot in December of 1976 during a struggle with a burglar at the JC Penney Auto Center at the Montgomery Mall.  Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman said we must keep alive the memory of officers who die in the line of duty.

“It’s our job to make sure that our community remembers its heroes, its protectors, those men and women who gave the last full measure of their devotion to make sure that our community remains safe.  It’s our job to be the memory of the community to make sure that our heroes are never forgotten.”

Ferman said Chief County Detective Oscar Vance told her Officer Hancock was a kind and gentle man who respected everyone, including the people he arrested.