Steckman said he could not speak to the circumstances surrounding Marvin’s death as the Pocono Township Police Department is handling the investigation.
“The city’s immediate concern is for his family and friends and the officers he served with,” Steckman said.
Pocono Township police Detective Jim Wagner could not be reached for comment. An exact age for Marvin, who was in his 20s, wasn't available Wednesday night.
Monroe County Deputy Coroner Cindy Skrzypek pronounced Marvin, who was found by a family member, dead in his home, according to Deputy Coroner Bob Allen. A forensic autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death will be performed today at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allen said.
Easton police Capt. Carl Scalzo said Marvin joined the force in 2009 and worked as a patrolman. Scalzo lauded Marvin’s recent handling of a man who broke into an Easton police car outside the city’s headquarters, ripping a shotgun rack out of one car in the process.
Marvin, who was alone at the time, was able to safely deal with the man until backup arrived, according to police.
Although he only had two years on the force, Marvin recently applied to join some of the department’s specialty units and was interested in detective and investigative work, Scalzo said.
“He was a real good guy, unfortunately we didn’t see anything like this coming,” Scalzo said.
The department has made a hiring push in recent years, resulting in a younger force overall. The loss of Marvin will especially touch many of those officers, Scalzo said.
“We’re a young department, so there was a lot of young guys with him,” Scalzo said.
Scalzo said the city is bringing in grief counselors to make sure “everybody has all the assistance they need.”
Marvin recently played in the annual flag football game between the Easton and Phillipsburg police departments. Scalzo said Marvin played well and ended up dislocating his shoulder following a block that went awry.
Scalzo said he was notified Wednesday afternoon by Pocono Township police of the incident. After getting more details, he began to notify members of the force.
“I called the entire department in and I let them know what happened,” Scalzo said. “We made sure that every single employee of the Easton Police Department we spoke to personally.”
Scalzo said the city is bringing in grief counselors to make sure "everybody has all the assistance they need."
Marvin recently played in the annual flag football game between the Easton and Phillipsburg police departments. Scalzo said Marvin played well and ended up dislocating his shoulder following a block that went awry.
Scalzo said he was notified Wednesday afternoon by Pocono Township police of the incident. After getting more details, he began to notify members of the force.
"I called the entire department in and I let them know what happened," Scalzo said. "We made sure that every single employee of the Easton Police Department we spoke to personally."
Scalzo would not speak in detail about what happened to Marvin.
Members of the city's police union reached out to Marvin's family, and the city contacted Bethlehem police Capt. David Kravatz about organizing grief counseling for any city employee who requests assistance, Steckman said. Police officers operate as a team, working closely and depending on each other, he said.
Counseling is being provided through Family Answers' Critical Incident Stress Management program.
Police Chief Larry Palmer was out of town Wednesday when he was notified of Marvin's death. He returned upon hearing the news, according to Steckman.
"Our concern is to make sure our officers are supported in their time of grief and obviously the chief wants to be here," he said.
Prior to joining the Easton police force, Marvin spent two years as a corrections officer at Monroe County Correctional Facility.
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