Governor Rendell Offers Condolences on Death of State Police Trooper; Orders Flags to Half-Staff

Trooper Paul G. Richey Killed During Shooting Incident in Venango County

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell offered his condolences to the family and friends of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Paul G. Richey, 40, who died as the result of a gunshot wound suffered during an incident today in Venango County.

"A 16-year veteran of the force, Trooper Richey was struck down while carrying out his sworn duty to protect our citizens," Governor Rendell said. "This is a tragedy for the Pennsylvania State Police and the commonwealth. Midge and I join with Pennsylvania's citizens in extending our deepest sympathies to Trooper Richey's wife, Carrie, and their two children. The trooper's sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Governor Rendell ordered that all flags at commonwealth facilities throughout state should be flown at half-staff in honor of Trooper Richey until his interment.

State police said Trooper Richey was struck and killed by a shot fired from a residence in Cranberry Township, Venango County, around 11:45 a.m.  Richey had responded to the residence for a reported domestic incident and was struck by the bullet after exiting his vehicle.

Trooper Richey was assigned to the patrol unit at the state police Troop E station in Franklin, Venango County. He and his family resided in Franklin.

Trooper Richey 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 the Troop F station in Milton, Northumberland County. He transferred to the Troop E station at Corry, Erie County, on Oct. 19, 1996, and to the Franklin station on May 17, 1997.

Trooper Richey is the 93rd member of the department to die in the line of duty since the force was established in 1905. His death came a little more than seven months after the shooting death of Trooper Joshua D. Miller of Troop N, Swiftwater, who was killed during the rescue of a kidnapped child on June 7, 2009, in Monroe County.

Media contacts:

Lt. Myra Taylor or Jack J. Lewis, PSP; 717-787-5556

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor