Harrisburg, PA – Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today honored the service and sacrifice of Trooper Jacques F. "Jay" Rougeau Jr. and paid tribute to all members who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial ceremony at PSP Headquarters also marked the department's 119th anniversary.
"Our fallen troopers make the ultimate sacrifice for Pennsylvania – and while today we gather and honor their life in service, we must also reaffirm every day that we never, ever forget," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "The men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities. My Administration is committed to ensuring our troopers and their families have the help and support they deserve from every corner of our Commonwealth."
"I am humbled and honored to pay tribute to Tpr. Jacques Rougeau Jr. and the 103 other members of the Pennsylvania State Police who have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Their dedication and service will always be remembered."
Trooper Rougeau was assigned to Troop G, Lewistown Station when he was fatally shot June 17, 2023. Trooper Rougeau enlisted in June 2020 as a member of the 160th cadet class and served nearly three years with the State Police. He was 29 years old.
Colonel Paris presented the Pennsylvania State Police Cross to Trooper Rougeau's wife. The award is presented to the next of kin of members who lost their lives under honorable circumstances in the performance of duty.
Trooper Rougeau's name was ceremonially added to the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall, which now honors 104 members who died while serving the people of the Commonwealth. The names of the fallen were read aloud, and the service included a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps", and a moment of silence.
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 1,700 civilian employees. It is the 10th-largest police agency in the United States.
An online version of the PSP Memorial Wall, including photos and biographies of each member who died in the line of duty, is available at https://www.psp.pa.gov/memorial-wall/Pages/The-Memorial-Wall.aspx.
Video and photos of the event will be available at https://pacast.com/
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.