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Condolences to the Pennsylvania State Police
By Safety Officer Christopher Eno
January 13, 2010
The Salisbury Township Fire Company #1 would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Pennsylvania State Police and the family and friends of Trooper Paul Richey who was shot and killed in the line of duty when he and another Trooper responded to a domestic disturbance call in Cranberry Township, Venango County.
PSP News Release: "Trooper Paul G. Richey, Troop E, Franklin Station - Killed in Line of Duty Tpr. Paul G. Richey, 40, a 16-year-veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, died Jan. 13, as the result of a gunshot wound suffered during an incident in Cranberry Twp., Venango County.
Tpr. Paul G. Richey, 40, a 16-year-veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, died Jan. 13 as the result of a gunshot wound suffered during an incident in Cranberry Twp., Venango County.
Tpr. Richey was assigned to the Patrol Unit at Troop E, Franklin.
Richey and Tpr. Jason Whitman responded to a call at approximately 11:34 a.m. regarding a domestic incident in the 100 block of Bredinsburg Road, Cranberry Twp., Venango County.
The troopers arrived at the scene at approximately 11:45 a.m. As the officers approached the house, a male voice called from a window for the troopers to return to their car. The troopers ordered the man to show himself. At that point, Tpr. Richey was hit with a shot fired from the residence. Additional troopers responded and Tpr. Richey was removed from the scene. Members fired several rounds at the residence as they removed Tpr. Richey.
Members entered the home around 6:15 p.m.. The suspect and his wife were found dead in an upstairs bedroom, both with with at least one gunshot wound. Two rifles and a shotgun were recovered from the house.
"Tpr. Richey sacrificed his life rather than swerve from the path of duty," said State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. "We will not forget his service or his sacrifice.
Tpr. Richey, of Franlkin, enlisted in the State Police on May 17, 1993. He graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey on Nov. 10, 1993, and was assigned to Troop F, Milton. He transferred to Troop E, Corry, on Oct. 19, 1996, and to the Franklin station on May 17, 1997.
Among Tpr. Richey's survivors are his widow, Carrie; a son, Connor, 9; and a daughter, Catherine, 6.
Tpr. Richey is the 93rd member of the department to die in the line of duty since the establishment of the State Police in 1905. His death came slightly more than seven months after the shooting death of Tpr. Joshua D. Miller of Troop N, Swiftwater, who was killed during the rescue of a kidnapped child on June 7, 2009, in Monroe County."
