Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I remember this day all so well. I was in the Pittsburgh police academy when Chief Adams, was shot and killed. I also turned 21 the day after. The class was shocked to hear the news of this horrific tragedy. We were also mad as hell. To know that one of our own was gunned down in the street. This made some of us even more determined than ever to want to get out on the streets. Some of us in the class were veterans as well. And already has a sense of duty and commitment. After graduation. I was a proud Pittsburgh Housing Authority police officer. I worked there for 7 years. I didn’t know that I would take the same path as Greg Adams, but in reverse. He joined the Metropolitan Police Force first. Then came home. I started the Metropolitan police Academy in October 26,1987. I retired 31 years later. I would think of Gregg on and off in my entire police career. And visit his name on the wall quit often along with an another officer I knew from Pittsburgh. Officer Ralph Mock from the Hampton twp. Police department. Along with several officers from the city of Pittsburgh who I knew and worked with. These officers gave their lives for the good of us all. I didn’t know Chief Adams. We did share a common bond. To know we both walked the streets of The nations Capital is a special privilege. One day when the good Lord calls me home I will meet Greg and share some stories from DC. God bless the Adams family for having such a beacon of light.

Detective Paul E Hustler (Retired)
Metropolitan Police Department DC

December 18, 2024

Chief Adams was a friend of my grandfather and grandmother. He was a great person. My mother, and her siblings grew up and lived two houses over from where this horrific crime occurred. My grandmother Madeline Freehling is the hero who ran to the rescue the day this happened. My uncle told her he heard gun shots and she went to investigate. She found Officer Adams near the backyard of the house beside Agway. Held the officers hand and told my uncle to call 911. My grandma was on a crime show and even re-enacted the event in hopes to find the man who did this awful crime. -She was the most amazing, caring, heroic person I’ve ever met. May her and Officer Adams and my Grandfather Bim/Donald rest in the most Heavenly Peace. Until we meet again.

Dallis Covalt
Granddaughter to Madeline C. Freehling- Family friend to Officer Adams

September 24, 2022

We are from California but my family lived for a short time near this area when I was young, and even though I was a child I still remember my mother telling me of the heroism of Chief of Police Adams (and I even remember that Agway store). I am so happy to see the lovely messages here, and I am delighted to learn that there was a bit of closure. Prayers and love tor your family and friends!

Rebekah from California

May 15, 2021

I remember many times in my teenage years Greg stopping to talk to us kids, he was genuinely a wonderful man. I remember like yesterday hearing the news of his murder and starting to cry at the loss to our town. He influenced me in showing respect to law enforcement and I was so glad Mrs Adam's /Jones and his children finally got some closure on there loss.

Judy Bollinger
Saxonburg Native

January 24, 2021

Chief

Your professionalism,dedication and service to the
Saxonburg community is never and will never be forgotten.

RIP

Adult Prob.& Parole Ofc/Ret.Bill Sta
Butler Co.Pa Adult Probation

December 5, 2020

Rest in peace always sir and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

December 4, 2020

Wow! What a hero lending your vest to another officer. A young man gone too soon leaving a wife and family behind to mourn.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2020

Just saw the story of your tragic death on a episode of Unsolved Mysteries. I am so glad that investigators finally found your killer but saddened to know he will never pay for his actions that day in December, 1980 but I am so glad your family can finally put closer to this sad event in their lives. Thank you Chief Adams for your service. Rest In Peace Sir!

MGST Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol

January 22, 2019

I am really miss him. He is my great uncle and I wish I had a chance to see him. He fought for all of us.

Amaia Guevara
He is my great uncle

April 9, 2018

I was a police officer in Butler County abd had always heard of your terrible death. Years later your family has some closure. Now you can rest in peace sir. God bless you and your family.

Detective Eric L. H.
Allegheny Co Police.

July 17, 2017

Chief Adams, I read today they found your killer buried in a backyard. My prayers are with your family as the memories of your loss are undoubtedly being relived. It is with great respect that I add you to the list of heroes I carry in my daily thoughts. It would be an honor if you would save me a chair at your table sir.

Senior Special Agent
BNSF Police Department

July 15, 2017

It's all over the news here in Rhode Island that the remains of your killer has been located. His wife helped hide him out all this time. We do not stop looking until you are found !

Patrolman J Cole
Rhode Island

July 14, 2017

RIP Chief your killer is found. NY POST JULY 14, 2017
Remains buried in backyard belong to ‘most wanted’ fugitive

BOSTON — A decades long search for a fugitive charged in the 1980 killing of a Pennsylvania police chief came to a dramatic end Friday as authorities positively identified remains found buried in a Massachusetts yard as the man they have long suspected in the fatal shooting.

Donald Eugene Webb was one of the longest-tenured fugitives on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list, appearing there from 1981 to 2007. Authorities believe Webb shot and killed Saxonburg police Chief Gregory Adams in December 1980 after Adams pulled him over for running a stop sign.

Webb, then 49, was a jewelry thief from Massachusetts with connections to the New England mob. Police believe he was in Saxonburg, outside Pittsburgh, to case a jewelry store he planned to rob when Adams stopped his car.

Webb disappeared after the killing, but his car was found two weeks later in a parking lot in Warwick, Rhode Island. Within weeks of the killing, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Webb after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and charged in Pennsylvania with first-degree murder.

Police were led to Webb’s body Thursday by his ex-wife, Lillian, who showed them where he was buried in her back yard in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Prosecutors in both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that authorities have agreed not to prosecute Lillian Webb in the investigation.

The FBI said investigators believe Webb died about 17 years ago. Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts said Webb’s cause of death has not yet been determined, but it “does not appear his death was the result of a violent act.”

The police chief’s widow, Mary Ann Jones, said she is livid that Lillian Webb kept her ex-husband’s whereabouts hidden for years, as Jones and her two sons struggled with their loss and the thought that the killer was still at large.

“I guess I’m angry at her at this point because she could do that to my family — hide him for years and then bury him so we never know,” Jones said. “Why hide him? Why not allow us closure?”

Lillian Webb could not be reached for comment Friday. A message was left at her home.

Adams was 31 when he was killed, leaving his wife to raise two young sons. She eventually remarried.

Last month, Jones’ lawyer, Thomas King III, filed a notice in court saying Jones planned to sue Lillian Webb and her adult son for civil conspiracy claims after FBI agents said Webb may have hidden out in a secret room in Lillian Webb’s home during short stints in the 1990s. A cane was found in the room.

King said Friday that Jones agreed to drop her claims after Lillian Webb agreed to tell authorities where her ex-husband was buried.

Joseph Beachem, the current police chief of Saxonburg, praised the FBI and police in both states for never giving up on finding Webb.

“The biggest question in the history of Saxonburg has been answered,” Beachem said. “Our thoughts are with the family and we hope this eases their minds, if even only slightly. While the hurt will continue, at least doubt about what happened that day has been eliminated.”

State police detectives assigned to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office obtained a search warrant for Lillian Webb’s property as part of a separate investigation into an illegal gambling operation that led to the discovery of Webb’s body. The application for the search warrant said police were looking for Webb’s body and evidence of him living in the house before his death.

The FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Webb or his remains, but said Friday that the reward will not be paid because Webb’s remains were found as part of the investigation.

Police Officer -retired
NYPD

July 14, 2017

I recently read that the case may reignite the hunt for your suspected murderer. I hope he's caught. You have so long waited for justice. I pray your murderer doesn't escape justice by dying of natural causes and hope he hasn't already.

Rest in Peace, Chief, and God Bless.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 19, 2016

A Hero now in Heaven, Always remembered and Never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

December 4, 2014

I remember Greg well. I graduated from high school with Greg and lived 1/2 block from him growing up. I had heard different roomers at the time, but could only remember Greg as the "kind of quiet" kid down the block. His murder was a shock to all of us. Ironically, a young officer Leonard Miller in Apollo, was murdered in a similar manner earlier that year on 1/3/80. Also ironically, the killers of Officer Miller, ie. John Lesko and Michael Travaglia are still alive and continuing to argue for a new trial. Sometimes we forget how dangerous being a police officer is and how much respect and support we need to give them. A few years ago, I was honored to be able to confer the First Degree of the Knights of Columbus upon his son Greg during our ceremony at St Joseph's in Cabot.

Jim Watson, Sr. Alumnae Advocate
Har-Brack High School Class of 1967

July 25, 2014

I remember that fateful day. My mom was one of the last folks to speak to him. We alway thought it was Don and Sarah Geibel who had a hand in this tradgity. They left town suddenly with days. We thought it was about drug dealing in the town. I guess I missed the TV SPECIAL and who the suspect was. I pray soon it will be resolved. I pray the family find closure and the case is put to rest.

Karen
Family friend and citizen

December 4, 2013

Saw your story on Unsolved Mysteries today...
Thank you for your service.. and bless the family you left behind...

Jen Morales
Surviving Spouse of Metro Transit Police Officer Marlon F. Morales

April 17, 2013

God bless you Greg. Greg and I went thru the Washington D.C. Police Academy in 1972. Greg later went to PA and I eventually went to Prince George's Co. Police in MD. I never forgot him. He was a fine young man.

Russell M. Caudill
Former Academy member

June 23, 2011

Chief Adams, You are not forgotten. God bless you and your family for your service to law enforcement.

SA Ellen Pierson
US DHS

February 16, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and care for you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 5, 2010

Thinking of you today, you are a hero for us all to look up too. You will never be forgotten.

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

December 1, 2010

Chief Adams was an instructor while I was in the police academy...its hard to believe its been almost 30 years since his death, but he made an impact on my life. His was the first of many sad police funerals I've attended.

Rick Parfitt, Chief
Edison State College Department of Public Safety

August 18, 2010

You are not forgotten Greg. Your name was added next to the names of other police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice outisde of Allegheny County. On the Allegheny County Law Enforcement Officer`s Memorial in the city of Pittsburgh.

R.I.P

Rocky Geppert

May 8, 2010

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

January 26, 2010