State police honor troopers killed in the line of duty
Within Pennsylvania State Police Troop B, 13 troopers have died in the line of duty since 1909.
The agency recognizes them each year with a memorial service. The annual ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 47 in South Strabane Township.
Troop B covers Washington, Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.
Of the 13 Troop B officers, the last recorded death was Cpl. Joseph Pokorny. Pokorny died Dec. 12, 2005, when he was shot during a traffic stop in Carnegie.
鈥淪ince the creation of this department over a century ago, 104 members of the Pennsylvania State Police have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty,鈥� said Capt. Jeremy Barni, the Troop B commanding officer. 鈥淭hese brave men all believed in our collective mission so deeply and so completely that they swore to lay down their lives rather than swerve from the path of duty, and made the ultimate sacrifice.鈥�
Wednesday鈥檚 ceremony featured a rifle salute, the playing of 鈥淭aps鈥� and a flyover by a state police helicopter. Following the speakers, there was a luncheon for those in attendance, which included Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh and Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele.
Also speaking Wednesday was state police Major William Maitland. Mailtand highlighted the importance of remembering the troopers killed on the job.
鈥淢emorial services such as these serve as a vital reminder. They help us to not forget the names, the faces and the sacrifices of those who gave everything. Forgetting would be the greatest dishonor we could show to their legacy. Instead we choose to remember, to reflect and to recommit ourselves to the mission they fully so embraced,鈥� Maitland said.
Following Maitland was the event鈥檚 main speaker, retired state police Cpt. David Heckman. Heckman served as the commanding officer for Troop B before retiring in 2017.
Heckman carried on the theme of sacrifice and the commitment to duty displayed by those who have been killed while in uniform.
鈥淭hese troopers were more than badges. They were sons, brothers, parents and friends. Each name etched on the state police memorial wall tells a story of valor and sacrifice,鈥� Heckman said.
Heckman went on to recognize the surviving families, and issued a plea for communities to continue to support them.
鈥淚 urge each of you to support the families of our law enforcement officers through memorials, scholarships or simply listening to their stories,鈥� Heckman said. 鈥淏y doing so we keep the memory of our fallen alive, and strengthen the fabric of our society.鈥�