L. Merion police officer found dead in S. Phila.; suicide suspected

A 25-year veteran of the Lower Merion Township Police Department was found dead Monday, evidently a suicide.

Officer Sean Quinn was found in his car in FDR Park, in South Philadelphia. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

"The Lower Merion Police Department wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to Officer Quinn's family and friends, and asks that they be kept in your thoughts and prayers as we all try to come to terms with this tragic event," said Police Superintendent Michael McGrath, who issued an alert Monday morning that Quinn, 46, of Aston Township, Delaware County, was missing after not reporting for his 7 a.m. shift.

No suicide note had been found as of late Monday afternoon.

"The only thing we really know for certain is he had an argument with his wife last evening and left his residence," township spokesman Tom Walsh said. "From all accounts, he was a terrific guy and well-liked by his fellow officers and superiors."

Quinn was involved some years ago with the Drug Abuse Resistance Program (D.A.R.E.), making presentations in Lower Merion schools. In 2002, the 76ers honored him at a game as part of the team's Hometown Hero program, according to the D.A.R.E. website. He graduated from Haverford High School in 1984.

On his LinkedIn page, which did not say when it was last updated, Quinn wrote about himself:

"I have spent the last 25 years working in all aspects of Law Enforcement. As I near retirement, I am now building a business that specializes in "Social Shopping."

He also described himself as a crisis intervention specialist.

Quinn, whom police called "a respected veteran," was last seen in Ardmore about 5:30 Monday morning and had telephone contact with his family from Philadelphia's Columbus Boulevard area about 6:27 a.m.

Walsh said Quinn had three grown children.

Lower Merion and Philadelphia police are investigating Quinn's death.

Contact Carolyn Davis at 610-313-8109, cdavis@phillynews.com, or @carolyntweets on Twitter.