Lower Merion Police Officer Found Dead
Sean Quinn, 46, died Monday morning of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Philadelphia's FDR Park, township police said.
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Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch is reporting that 46-year-old Lower Merion police officer Sean Quinn was found dead Monday morning in South Philadelphia. Quinn died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael McGrath.
The township released the following statement at 12:23 p.m. Monday:
Lower Merion Police Superintendant Michael McGrath regrets to report that Officer Sean Quinn, a respected veteran of the force, was found this morning deceased as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Quinn was found unresponsive is his personal vehicle which was located in FDR Park located on Pattison Ave. in South Philadelphia.
Superintendent McGrath issued the follow statement, “The Lower Merion Police Department wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to Officer Quinn’s family and friends and asks that they be kept in your thoughts and prayers as we all try to come to terms with this tragic event.”
Officer Quinn, 46, was last seen in Ardmore at about 5:30 a.m. on Monday. He was due to report for duty at 7 a.m., but has been unreachable since then. His last known contact with family was at 6:27 a.m., from the Columbus Boulevard area of Philadelphia.
The Lower Merion Police Department along with the Philadelphia Police Department conducted an extensive search for the officer, and his vehicle was located in the Park.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of his body.
Lower Merion Township spokesman Tom Walsh said Quinn was a "well-liked, well-respected officer ... This is really a blow."
Quinn, a Delaware County resident, was a D.A.R.E. officer and was once honored at a Philadelphia 76ers game as a "Hometown Hero". In the Lower Merion Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #28, Quinn was a member of the Memorial committee.
The FOP notified members with the following e-mail, which FOP leadership forwarded to Patch:
It is with great sadness that the Lodge announces the passing of Brother Sean Quinn this morning, 2/11/2013.
Brother Quinn’s death is the tragic result of suicide. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
The Lodge will notify the membership of arrangements as they are known.
The Lodge requests that all members honor Brother Quinn’s 25 years of active police service and dedication to the FOP. Brother Quinn was a husband and father. He was an active volunteer in the community who always supported the Lodge.
In Quinn's LinkedIn profile, he described himself as "near retirement" and said he was "building a business that specializes in 'Social Shopping'."
Earlier today, Lower Merion Police had issued an alert to other regional law enforcement agencies that Quinn was missing after having not reported for duty.
6ABC Action NEWS reported local authorities were at FDR Park, at 15th Street and Pattison Avenue in south Philadelphia, in connection with the Quinn investigation.
Following the discovery of Quinn's body, Lower Merion Township spokesman Tom Walsh told reporters that Quinn had been arguing with his wife just before his disappearance.
"The only thing we really know for certain is he had an argument with his wife last evening and left his residence," Walsh told Philly.com. "From all accounts, he was a terrific guy and well-liked by his fellow officers and superiors."
Lower Merion Police Department has postponed its weekly media briefing, normally held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
MK
6:04 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Need help or know someone who does? Call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Bhrenda Drakeford
9:02 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I was raised in Lower Merion. Simpson Rd. He will be truly missed. I will hold his family up in prayer.
Bhrenda Drakeford
9:03 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about this. I was raised in Lower Merion Township. Simpson Rd. All of LM police are the finest in the land and The Mainline. He will be missed. I will hold his family up in prayer.
Donna (Hager) Waltz
11:05 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Sean and I have been friends since the mid 80's. We hadn't been in regular contact recently (I had talked to him in October of last year), and I didn't even realize there were deep rooted issues. I knew there were rough patches in his life, but he was the last person I would ever think of that would commit suicide. I will miss him dearly! He had a heart, the size of which cannot be described.....He was a larger than life wonderful, caring, compassionate and generous human being and a dear friend. I will miss him terribly! God bless his family. Know they are all in my prayers.
Adam Young
4:33 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
He had mental issues known to the Lower Merion Police Department and yet was STILL allowed to be on active duty and carry a deadly weapon. Great.......just great!
Betsy Lucas
6:45 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Officer Quinn was a well respected and loved DARE officer for all three of my children years ago. The community has lost a special person. Hopefully his family will know how much he will be missed. Prayers go out to all.
Susan Watkins
11:21 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Mr. Young some reflection is necessary in your life as it is unjust to judge anyone. Prayers are needed more than ever for Officer Quinn and his family.
Richard Pell
1:34 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Sean was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Back in the spring of 83, on my first day of work at the Bryn Mawr Acme, I met Sean and he was very friendly and gave me the combination to his locker and told me I can use it for my coat. So I did, for years. I remember having a lot of laughs with him. He was an extremely hard worker, he was always positive, he was also very considerate and everyone liked him – co-workers and customers. It was my privilege to have known him.