Memorial 

 

 
KILLED:  07/11/04 - Elk Lick Township Police Chief Sheridan O. Caton died in the line of duty early Sunday morning, as he responded to a request for backup from the Confluence Police Department. Chief Caton, 60, of Meyersdale, died following the impact of a head-on collision just after 12:30 A.M. While enroute for the back-up, the nearly 40-year police veteran's cruiser collided with another vehicle head-on in the 2,400 block of Listonburg Road in Addison Township.
 
Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller pronounced Caton dead at the scene. He said the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma. The driver of the second vehicle, Warren Earl Christopher, 40, no address given, was charged with driving while under the influence.
 
Caton as Chief of the Elk Lick Township Department, where he worked for nearly a decade after retiring as chief of Meyersdale's department in June of 1994. Caton entered law enforcement in September of 1965 as a part time officer in Meyersdale. He was promoted to full-time in March of 1966, and took over the department just a decade later. He retired with 29 years on the Meyersdale force. 
 
Chief Caton leaves behind son, Brian Caton, and daughter Roxanne Knopsnyder. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Christopher & Matthew Caton and Amber & Brandon Knopsnyder.Chief Caton was a member of FOP Roof Garden Lodge # 98.Over 300 law enforcement officials and first responders attended the funeral.