Four Troopers Honored for Actions at Scene of Fatal Trooper Shooting

Recipients Assisted Fallen Tpr. Paul G. Richey During Venango County Incident

HERSHEY – The Pennsylvania State Police honored four troopers for their heroic actions at the scene of the fatal shooting of Tpr. Paul G. Richey in January 2010 in Venango County, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan announced. 

Noonan presented the State Police Medal of Honor to Tpr. Jason E. Whitman and State Police Commendation Medals to Cpl. Robert T. Finch and Tprs. William T. Heasley and Paul E. Swatzler during a ceremony at the State Police Academy in Hershey.  The recipients were assigned to Troop E, Franklin, at the time of the shooting.  Finch now is assigned to Troop E, Erie.

“These troopers displayed valor and selflessness while risking their lives to remove a fallen comrade from an extremely dangerous situation,” Noonan said.  “Their actions were a credit to themselves and to the Pennsylvania State Police.” 

The incident began on Jan. 13, 2010, around 11:40 a.m., when the Franklin station received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance at a home in Cranberry Township, Venango County.

Richey and Whitman responded to the scene.  As they walked toward the house, a rifle shot fired from a second-floor window struck Richey in the neck. 

“Tpr. Whitman returned fire, moved back to the patrol car, called for assistance, and then provided first aid to Tpr. Richey,” Noonan said.  “Tprs. Finch, Heasley and Swatzler were the first to respond to the scene.  Fearing that Tpr. Richey was bleeding to death, the troopers provided cover fire and managed to move Tpr. Richey from an exposed position into Finch’s marked Ford Expedition patrol vehicle.” 

Richey was driven to an ambulance waiting nearby and then was transported to a Seneca hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m. 

Investigation determined that the fatal shot was fired from inside the house by Michael J. Smith, 44.  Both Smith and his wife were found dead in the house when officers entered.  Smith had shot and killed his wife and later committed suicide, the county coroner ruled.

Noonan said Whitman, 35, was given the State Police Medal of Honor – the department’s highest award – in recognition of “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty and at the imminent risk of life.”

A nine-year veteran of the department, Whitman serves on a state police Special Emergency Response Team. 

“Tpr. Whitman’s advanced training as a SERT member played an important role in helping him deploy tactics that protected him and the responding troopers as they removed Tpr. Richey from the scene,” Noonan said. 

Finch, 40, is an 18-year veteran of the department who was promoted to corporal in June 2010.  Heasley, 42, and Swatzler, 43, also are 18-year state police veterans. 

The State Police Commendation Medal is presented to personnel for “a conspicuously significant achievement that enhances the prestige of the department,” Noonan said. 

For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or call 717-783-5556.