HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett recently praised State Police Trooper First Class Timothy A. Strohmeyer, 41, of Blair County, who received the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Target Police Officer of the Year Award.
“Trooper Strohmeyer’s heroic actions exemplify the high standards and profound sense of duty found in the ranks of our Pennsylvania State Police. I am honored to count him among Pennsylvania’s finest,” Corbett said.
“Every day, the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police take to our streets and highways to protect our citizens. Like Trooper Strohmeyer, they don’t ask for anything but a chance to serve.”
Four people died and several were wounded, including three state troopers, when a man went on a shooting rampage last December in Geeseytown, Blair County.
“Trooper Strohmeyer exhibited great personal courage while putting his life on the line in an attempt to stop a killer and terminate any additional threat to the lives of other persons in the community,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), based in Virginia, is the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives, with about 20,000 members in more than 100 countries. The IACP partners with Target to recognize exemplary performance, heroism and bravery in law enforcement across the globe.
This is the second year in a row that the Pennsylvania State Police has been a recipient of this prestigious award.
Strohmeyer, along with Trooper First Class David Nazaruk and Corporal Kevin Campbell, all from Troop G, Hollidaysburg, were first to arrive in the area after state police were dispatched to reports of a man shooting people on the morning of Dec. 21, 2012.
While en route to the scene, Strohmeyer and Nazaruk passed the suspect, Jeffrey Lee Michael of Hollidaysburg, driving a pickup truck in the opposite direction. As the suspect passed the troopers, Michael fired shots into both cruisers.
Nazaruk sustained injuries to his eyes and forehead from shrapnel and glass fragments. Strohmeyer turned his patrol car around and pursued the pickup truck with Nazurak’s cruiser driving close behind.
At the same time, Campbell was heading toward the scene when the suspect intentionally rammed his truck head-on into the cruiser. The impact disabled both vehicles and jammed the cruiser’s driver’s side door, making it difficult for Campbell to exit.
Within seconds, Strohmeyer arrived at the scene and rammed his cruiser into the rear of the suspect’s truck. Michael charged toward Strohmeyer’s door, firing as he approached, striking the trooper in the chest and left wrist.
“Even after being struck in the chest and hand, Trooper Strohmeyer drew his service weapon and returned fire until he had stopped the actions of the suspect,” Noonan said.
“The expectations for a Pennsylvania State Trooper are beyond compare, from patrolman to crime fighter to counselor – all the while, these courageous men and women must be ready to come face-to-face with deadly situations at a moment’s notice,” said Noonan. “No profession can compare to the difficult decisions that a trooper must make in the midst of chaos.”
The Pennsylvania State Police awarded Strohmeyer the department’s Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart award in June 2013. Strohmeyer also was selected as the department’s Trooper of the Year for 2012.
The Mid-Atlantic District Exchange Clubs’ State Police Officer of the Year Committee has recognized all three troopers as the 2013 State Police Officer of the Year.
In addition, Strohmeyer, Nazaruk, Campbell and Police Communications Operator Justin Butterworth received the Blair County Operation Our Town’s 2013 Law Enforcement Award for their actions.
For more information about the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.state.pa.us.