The bodies of three North York County Regional Police detectives were autopsied at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest Campus Sept. 19. The three detectives Sgt. Cody Becker, Mark Baker and Isaiah Emenheiser, were ambushed while investigating a report of a stalker in a woman’s home in North Codorus Township, York County, Sept. 17. A total of five police officers were shot, with two surviving in guarded condition as of Sept. 21.

The shooter, Matthew James Ruth, 24, was killed by police in a gun battle. Ruth had been waiting at the door for his ex-girlfriend and her mother to return, but instead was confronted by police. He was reported as using a high capacity military style weapon.

The bodies of the slain officers were escorted by a large contingent of state, regional and local police on motorcycles and in police vehicles. The bodies were transported in three WellSpan EMS ambulances. They were handled with great care by the transporting teams.

Cetronia Tower 3 and Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Quint 31 placed an American flag between their uppermost reach, creating a memorial arch for the arriving and departing units.

According to John Christman, chief of security for Lehigh Valley Health Network, LVHN has contracts with numerous Eastern Pennsylvania counties including Lehigh, York, Berks, Luzerne, Montgomery, Lackawanna and Pike counties to perform autopsies on any deaths of firefighters, police and EMS personnel.