Cpl. Timothy O’Connor was a 15-year-veteran of the force and is survived by his wife and daughter, officials said.
A Pennsylvania State Trooper was shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday night during a traffic stop in West Caln Township in Chester County.
Cpl. Timothy O’Connor was a 15-year-veteran of the force and is survived by his wife and daughter, officials said.
An unidentified man shot and killed the trooper after O’Connor stopped the vehicle for a report of erratic driving near Honey Brook around 8:25 p.m. Authorities said the 32-year-old Chester County man then got our of the car and shot and killed himself.
“Within seconds, as he approached the car, the driver opened fire from inside the vehicle, struck him, just as he approached the driver side fo the vehicle,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens, acting commissioner of the state police.
Gov. Josh Shapiro called a O’Connor a hero and said the state police family had lost a son and Pennsylvania lost a dedicated public servant.
“There are many questions that will go unanswered but the one thing we absolutely know for certain is that their son, their husband is a hero,” Shapiro said he told the family. “He died protecting others. That is something we’re profoundly grateful for today.”
The State Police and the Chester County Detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting at Route 10 and Michael Road. Law enforcement from around the state, including Bucks County, have posted condolences to social media.
“Our hearts are heavy this morning as we learned overnight that Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Tim O’Connor passed away after being shot during a traffic stop in Chester County. We, at the Upper Makefield Township Police Department, extend our deepest condolences to Cpl. O’Connor’s family, friends, and to his co-workers. Please know his sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the Upper Makefield Police wrote on Facebook.
Flags were ordered to be flown at half staff.
