Saxonburg remembers police chief murdered 35 years ago

The community of Saxonburg is painfully familiar with the ordeal now faced by the survivors of a fallen Westmoreland County police officer.

The tiny borough on Friday commemorated the line-of-duty death of police Chief Gregory Adams, who was gunned down 35 years ago during a traffic stop.

“Dec. 4th is a dark date in the history of our town,” said Joseph Beachem, Saxonburg's current chief. “Today, as I look at Chief Adams' widow and sons, I feel a sense of grief that is almost overwhelming. I can't help but think of my own wife and children.”

Beachem was joined by Adams' family members, law enforcement, Saxonburg officials and community members at a memorial service around the stone monument commemorating Adams' sacrifice.

Attendees said the Nov. 28 death of St. Clair Officer Lloyd Reed Jr. highlights the continued danger faced by police.

“An assault on our law enforcement is an attack on our right to exist peacefully and happily,” Beachem said.

“Officers of the law sacrifice quite a lot, and that needs to be recognized,” said Gregory Adams Jr., who was 8 months old when his 31-year-old father died.

Adams and his older brother Ben Adams, who was 2 years old when the chief was killed, don't remember their father.

“It's hard not knowing him,” said Gregory Adams, who now lives in Florida.

What they've learned of their father comes from the memories of others.

“He was very family-oriented,” said Adams' widow, Mary Ann Jones of Penn Township. “He was very dedicated to his job and his family.”

Chief Adams had served in the Marines and worked on the Washington, D.C., police force before coming to Saxonburg. He'd been on the job for Saxonburg for about seven years.

“He always had your back,” said Howard Kinney, a retired Butler County sheriff's deputy who was chief of neighboring Clinton Township's police department when Adams was Saxonburg's chief.

“He was a good guy,” said Kinney, who served as a pallbearer for Adams. “What I liked about Greg was he said it the way it was.”

Beachem never met his predecessor. He was 12 years old when Adams was killed: “I remember the shock that went through the county.”

Beachem said he's learned much about Adams and quoted Shakespeare to describe the man: “He is as full of valor as of kindness. Princely in both.”

Beachem and Kinney were among a large contingent of law enforcement officers Friday, including Gordon Mainhart, a Saxonburg officer who succeeded Adams as chief.

Mainhart had served with Adams in the military and accompanied his friend to the hospital where Adams was pronounced dead following the shooting.

State police delivered a 21-gun salute and a bugler played taps as a crowd of about 100 people surrounded three half-staff flags representing America, Pennsylvania, and fallen police officers.

A flock of birds circled the gathering as Kinney's daughters, Mallory Thompson and Heather Check, sang “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America.”

FBI agents who continue to investigate Adams' death spoke to his family after the service.

Police long have suspected career criminal Donald Eugene Webb killed Adams, but Webb never was found. He was in poor health and now would be 84 years old; it's unknown whether he's still alive.

“To the family and friends of Donald Eugene Webb, I ask: what purpose can it serve to conceal his fate or whereabouts?” Beachem said. “I would also ask them to think of the young wife and children left behind. They have had to endure this pain for 35 years, certainly without justice.

“Your silence has been deafening, and there is a family and an entire community awaiting the truth,” Beachem said.

“It's disconcerting,” Mary Ann Jones said. “I'd like to know what happened before I die.”

Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.