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.
