Elmer N Criswell, Jr.

Elmer N Criswell Jr, 75, of Duncannon, passed away and entered into the arms of the Lord on December 27th, 2022
at UPMC Community Osteopathic Hospital, surrounded by his family. Elmer was born on February 25th, 1947 in
Wheeling, WV to the late Elmer and Sara Jane Criswell. Elmer is also preceded in his death by his sister-in-law,
Susan Criswell. Elmer leaves behind a loving family that includes: his wife of 29 years, Shawna; his daughter, Jennie;
two sons, Zach and Josh; two brothers, John and Dan (his wife, Shirley); and many more loving family members and
close friends. Elmer graduated from the Linsly Military Institute (Wheeling, WV) in 1965.  Elmer is a 1971 graduate of
West Liberty University (then West Liberty State College) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Education. He is
also a 1979 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Elmer entered
the workforce as a police officer at the Clearview Police Department in Wheeling, WV where he quickly rose to the
rank as Police Chief. During this time, in 1972, he also completed his training at the Zonn Institute of Polygraph and
began his career as a polygraphist. He left Wheeling, WV in 1975 for an opportunity at Harrisburg Area Community
College (HACC) to teach criminal justice on a one-year temporary position, which turned into a 45-year teaching
career. 45 years of devotion and dedication to his students and the future of law enforcement through his teaching of
criminology, criminal investigation, criminal law, and criminal evidence. Prior to his retirement from HACC in 2020,
Elmer was able to work as an adjunct professor at multiple other universities. Elmer also carried this love for teaching
to polygraph, where he was the Director and Chief instructor for Police Academy Polygraph School at HACC from
1979-1988 and 1999-2001, the PA Institute of Polygraph Sciences (Harrisburg, PA) from 1991-1997, and the Director
and Chief Instructor for the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center Polygraph Institute (Ft Indiantown Gap, PA) from
2001 until his passing. Elmer served as Director of Quality Control for American Association of Police Polygraphists
and also maintained active memberships in multiple national and local polygraph associations. Elmer impacted
hundreds of law enforcement professionals from all over the country as a teacher, mentor, and most importantly a
friend. Elmer had a strong relationship with Jesus and placed all his faith in Him. He was at peace at the time of his
passing because he knew that everything was a part of God’s plan. Elmer was passionate about sports: he played
multiple sports growing up, coached his sons’ baseball teams, and enjoyed watching his favorite teams: The
Pittsburgh Steelers and UNC Tarheels Basketball. He also cherished times spent on family vacations, traveling to
new places, enjoying new restaurants, spending time with he and Shawna’s dogs-Bandit and Scout and their cat (that
he tolerated), and catching up with his beloved family and friends. Elmer leaves a legacy of love, integrity, kindness,
and humor that he imparted on every life he touched. His family will be holding a celebration of life. That date with be
announced via family on social media and The Patriot News. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elmer’s name can be
made to Duncannon Church of God-2 Muhlenberg St, Duncannon PA 17020.

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