Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today honored the service and sacrifice of Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr. and paid tribute to all members who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial service at Department Headquarters commemorated the 121st anniversary of the establishment of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Our fallen troopers made the ultimate sacrifice for Pennsylvania, and it's important that we take days like today to gather and honor their life in service, and to reaffirm that we never forget brave troopers like Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and we will always be there for his family," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "The women and men of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day, running towards danger when others are running away to protect our communities and make them safer. Policing is a noble profession, one of courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment. I remain committed to ensuring our troopers and their families have the help and support they deserve all across our great Commonwealth."
I am both humbled and honored to pay tribute to Corporal Timothy O'Connor Jr. and the 104 other members of the Pennsylvania State Police who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, the Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The 105 names etched into the wall represent not only the individual troopers who died in service to the Commonwealth but also reflect the sacrifices of their family members and loved ones who continue to endure their loss. Today, we honor all those who laid down their lives and commit to ensuring that their contributions to our Department and Commonwealth are never forgotten.”
Corporal O’Connor was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville Station, when he was fatally shot on March 8, 2026. Corporal O’Connor enlisted in September 2010 as a member of the 131st cadet class and served fifteen years with the State Police. He was 40 years old.
Lieutenant Colonel Bivens presented the Pennsylvania State Police Cross to Corporal O’Connor’s wife, Casey. The award is given posthumously to the next of kin of a member whose life was lost under honorable circumstances in the performance of duty.
The service included a reading of the 105 names on the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall, a moment of silence, the PSP Ceremonial Unit, and a rifle salute.
The Pennsylvania State Police was created by legislation signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, becoming the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States.
Starting with just 228 men, the department has grown to an authorized complement of 4,841 enlisted women and men supported by more than 1,850 civilian employees. It is the 10th-largest police agency in the United States.
An online version of the PSP Memorial Wall, which includes photos and biographies of each member who died in the line of duty, can be found on the Department’s website.
Video and photos of the event will be available from Commonwealth Media Services.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit PSP’s website.