Former Delco officer accused of child rape killed in shootout with police

Francis Connell Collier was facing charges for sexually assaulting two young girls over 20 years ago

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A former Pennsylvania police officer charged with sexually assaulting two young girls more than two decades ago was killed early Wednesday during a gunfire exchange with police who recognized his vehicle and confronted him, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. Francis Connell Collier, 38, who resigned in December from the Morton Police Department in suburban Philadelphia after being placed on leave because of the investigation, was fatally shot at 3:48 a.m. in Bala Cynwyd, near his home.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing challenges of prosecuting historical child sex abuse cases, as well as the risks posed by armed suspects who are confronted by law enforcement. Collier's death also raises questions about whether he would have faced justice through the legal system if he had not engaged in the fatal shootout.

The details

A criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Delaware County accused Collier of child rape, endangering the welfare of children and related sex offenses. The victims were under the age of 13 at the time. Collier failed a polygraph in early December and told a detective afterward 'that he 'never intentionally touched the girls inappropriately,'' police wrote in the probable cause affidavit. Lower Merion Township officers on patrol knew Collier was facing criminal charges and saw him returning to his car, leading to the confrontation that ended in the shootout.

  • Collier resigned from the Morton Police Department in December 2025 after being placed on leave due to the investigation.
  • The criminal complaint against Collier was filed on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The fatal shootout occurred at 3:48 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Francis Connell Collier

A 38-year-old former police officer from the Morton Police Department in suburban Philadelphia who was facing charges for sexually assaulting two young girls over 20 years ago.

Kevin Steele

The Montgomery County District Attorney who provided details about the fatal shootout between Collier and Lower Merion Township police officers.

Lower Merion Township police

The law enforcement officers who confronted Collier and exchanged gunfire with him, leading to his death.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'When they confronted him, Collier fired at the officers, who returned fire, fatally wounding Collier.'”

— Kevin Steele, Montgomery County District Attorney (whyy.org)

“'that he 'never intentionally touched the girls inappropriately,''”

— Francis Connell Collier (whyy.org)

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenges of prosecuting historical child sex abuse cases, as well as the risks posed by armed suspects who are confronted by law enforcement. Collier's death raises questions about whether he would have faced justice through the legal system if he had not engaged in the fatal shootout.