The Ghost: The Murder of Police Chief Greg Adams and the Hunt for His Killer

by Maureen Boyle

How could such a dark secret
have been kept for so many years?

Police Chief Greg Adams was out on patrol. Christmas was coming to Saxonburg, Pennsylvania—a quaint borough of just 1,300—in three short weeks. The winter air was crisp. Colored lights sparkled on houses. He was only a block and a half from the Police Department, and this was just an average traffic stop.

Until it wasn’t.

The devoted husband and father of two little boys was about to meet any law enforcement officer’s nightmare. Moments later, he would lay dying in a pool of his own blood on that white winter snow, while his killer vanished like an apparition into thin air.

Despite his many aliases, the true identity of the murderer was quickly found. The killer himself, was not. As State Police and FBI investigators peeled back the twisted layers of low-level mobster Donald Webb’s life, the path to the killer would wind through decades … toward a shocking conclusion. After all, secrets can only be kept for so long.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Award-winning journalist Maureen Boyle is the author of three true-crime books. Shallow Graves: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer, The Ghost: The Murder of Police Chief Greg Adams and the Hunt for His Killer and her latest, Child Last Seen, set for release in May.
She was named New England journalist of the year three times and has been honored for her work covering crime, drug issues and human-interest stories. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in criminal justice. She is now the journalism program director at Stonehill College in Easton, MA.

Reviews

[Tooter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

[Joyce Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had a magic wand, I would wave it over this book, for everyone to read! I live in,Saxonburg, where the horrendous murder took place. Greg Adams, is still fondly remembered by the community. When he was murdered it put the entire community in a state of shock. For over 30 years, no one knew what actually happened that day. The author gives us most of the answers we needed to hear. Evil exists everywhere, evil took place in Saxonburg on Dec. 4, 1980. Donald Webb, the evil doer, murdered the beloved chief. He took away the loving husband and father. The title of the book is perfect, it took 37 years for the answers, it wasn't the answer most people wanted. If you want to read an excellent true crime book, this is the one for you!

[Suzanne Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello Goodreads Family, I gave the book 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This is a true crime book. It is about the murder of Pennsylvania Police 👮‍♂️ Chief Gregory Adams. Honestly, what I loved ❤️ most about this book was the camaraderie between Police Officers. First of all , my heart hurt with the death of the Police Chief Adam’s. He left a wife and 2 little boys at that time. Between LawEnforcement and the FBI they worked for over 35 years looking for the Cop Killer Donald Webb. They walked the walk and talk the talk looking for this killer. Many detectives and FBI agents looked and looked and could not find him. Until an FBI agent Tom McDonald was given the case. He talked to witnesses and talked to Donald Webb’s wife who lived in Pennsylvania and every time they knocked she would say she didn’t know where he was until that FBI agent Tom McDonald said he was going to find that cop killer Dead or Alive. Definitely a Must Read!! Great Book!! 📖

[Gerald J. Regal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read with some twist and turns.

[SheMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars. Pretty interesting story and well-written although at times repetitive and felt a bit padded. I think the author would have been better served by exploring the "Ghost's" story. Then again, that's why he was known as the Ghost: his whereabouts were completely unknown for thirty years.

[Scott Kalas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in recognition of dedication to law enforcement

I was expecting more of an investigation of a crime as opposed to a search for a killer, but my bad in the misread on synopsis.

It does a good job in showing the dedication of law enforcement to bring closure.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really compelling true crime book in which the author reveals the identity of the killer, who shot the police captain in a small Pennsylvania town, after a wait of 37 years from the incident. The circumlocutions and secret hiding places alone are a fascinating puzzle: How the killer was secreted by his wife into a small room in the basement of their house until he died and she buried him in the back yard. She was finally in her 80s when the truth was revealed, after she had stonewalled the authorities for almost four decades. Quite a book.

[Kim Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating. It doesn't snag your interest so much as it provides a documentary review of all steps taken over the course of several decades to close the case of the police chief's murder. It is interesting but just not in the way a fiction adventure might. I do highly recommend it if you enjoy true crime documentaries

[J tries reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Maureen Boyle, especially since I’m from the areas where she writes stories from, however this book was riddled with grammatical errors. Like, so bad, it was insane. I wanted to give this 4 stars but those errors just really bugged me a ton so I’m giving it 3 stars, glad someone told the story of Chief Greg Adams though. Heartbreaking story.

[Sylvia Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Justice

Having lived in this area all my life, I have vivid memories of Chief Adams' murder. I am sorry Chief Adams, his family, fellow officers, and the citizens of Saxonburg did NOT get a trial and Donald Webb did NOT spend a second of time in prison, they were denied justice. All of this thanks to Lillian Webb!! Shame on you, Lillian!!

[Sheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of the murder of a Police Chief


This is the story of a long journey to find the truth. The author did a fantastic job in telling the story of the hunt for the killer of a Police Chief. The story covers the decades long search and the many people who helped find a killer.

[Corbin]

Don't bother

This book was written by someone who likes to hear themselves talk and assumes everyone else wants to listen in. The subject matter deserves a better treatment. Also, such a big deal was made about the new shoulder patch that a picture should have been included.

[Carol Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author takes us through what lead up to the murder, and what happened afterward, in such detail that we cannot believe the fact that the hunt went on for so long, that the killer was able to elude capture.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good story and pretty well-written, but oh my, the editing was atrocious. Repeated phrases, many spelling errors and repeated parts of the story over and over. So I'll still give it 4 stars and hope the author has fired the editor.

[Gail A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly detailed

This may have been interesting, but it was so slow and heavily detailed that I gave up. Maybe if the story was more condensed and less immersed with meaningless details, the story might have been better.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many twists and turns. I loved it.

[Kevin Kalunian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It is a wonderful book. Fast read...

[Patricia Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting story of true crime

A riveting story of true crime and the dedication that encompasses the lives of those seeking to solve such a horrendous murder.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is nice there is closure after so many decades. I enjoy your books because you leave out gore and only use facts. Looking forward to your next book!

[Sara Bragantin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read a true crime story with ties close to home. Although the story is an interesting one, it seemed padded, repetitive, and difficult to follow at times.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant well researched story of the vicious murder of a Police Chief and the 40 year hunt for his Killer

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this had local interest but too many officer names to keep up.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a wonderful author. This book is very well written and I am a new fan. I am a student of criminology and someone passed this book onto me.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well written, well-researched book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. In the end it provides an understanding of the enormous dedication and powerful emotions that fuel a 30-year search for a killer

[Tracy Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I was nearly eleven years old when the murder happened and I grew up and still live about an hour away, but I never really heard about it. Interesting story about local, state and federal investigators working together on a very long case.

[SB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Cold Case Story

Well written and excellent research. A tribute to the local,state and federal officers who never gave up in solving a brother officer's cold blooded killing. Heart warming.

[Amy Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, heartfelt

Good read. Kept you informed and wondering what would really happen and if the killer was going to be able to be found.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

A very good read! Had me sitting on the edge of my seat! It's good to see justice win! Thank you!