Fallen Hero's Wreath To Be Laid At The Grave Of Newtown Officer

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Members of the Newtown Borough Police Department will lay a Fallen Hero's Wreath at the grave of Newtown Borough Police Officer Brian Gregg during a brief ceremony on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at the Newtown Cemetery.

The wreath is being provided by the Fallen Hero's Wreath Program, which was started by the family of Philadelphia Police Officer John Pawlowski, who was killed in the line of duty. Hundreds of volunteers across 20 states, and as far away as Alaska, will be placing wreaths at the final resting places of more than 2,000 heroes on Saturday.

"This solemn event is a poignant reminder of the bravery and selflessness of our fallen heroes and we invite the community to stop by and pay respects to their memory," said a public posting by the Newtown Borough Police Department.

The ceremony will feature a wreath-laying presentation to recognize the ultimate sacrifice Officer Gregg made and other law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

"We hope you can join us as we come together to honor the lives and legacies of our fallen heroes."

Officer Gregg had just started as a full-time officer after serving as a part-time officer when tragedy struck. He was shot and killed on Sept. 29, 2005, by a prisoner in the emergency department at St. Mary.

Gregg was born in Bristol and grew up in Levittown. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School (Harry S Truman High School), the Bucks County Community College, Ferris State University and the Middlesex Fire Academy.

For 15 years, Gregg worked as a contractor and owned his own business in the area. He then pursued his ambition to become a police officer, graduating from the Temple University Police Academy in 2002.

Gregg was hired as a part-time officer with Newtown Borough in 2003. He was promoted to full-time in October 2004.

“Brian truly loved his community and he was proud to serve the town of Newtown,” reads his obituary. “He never hesitated to answer the call to duty or to help others.”

In April 2014 a section of the Newtown Bypass between South State Street and Durham Road was renamed the Officer Gregg Memorial Bypass. The borough also dedicated a park in his memory on North Congress Street.

NOTE: Residents should not be alarmed with the increased police presence and sirens at the cemetery on Saturday.