Abington Police Department Remembers Officer Fatally Shot By Burglar 73 Years Later

ABINGTON, PA — It has been more than seven decades since the Abington Township Police Department lost one of its members who was killed in the line of duty.

This Wednesday marked the 73rd anniversary of the death of Abington Officer Tom Mathews, a four-year veteran of the force who was gunned down by a burglary suspect he had been pursuing following a call back in 1949.

Mathews, who was only 32 years old, had been shot three times.

The suspect initially managed to get away, leading police on a days-long manhunt.

The suspect, ultimately identified as Philadelphia resident Ollie Carey, was wanted in connection with the burglary of a 15-room mansion in the Rydal section of Abington Township at the time police officers were pursuing him.

Carey was eventually found guilty following a jury trial of first-degree murder and given the death sentence.

He was put to death on May 18, 1953.

"Although he has been gone for many years he is not forgotten, and is remembered by his loving family and the men and women of the Abington Township Police Department," the department posted to Facebook on Wednesday. "His murder was a tragic loss for his family, our community and the Abington Township Police Department."

To learn more about the death of Officer Thomas Mathews, visit this link to a detailed account of the case by the Abington Township Police Department.