Frederick Sutton Memorial Lodge 57

Fallen Members


Private Fredrick J. Sutton
July 17, 1913 - January 3, 1940

Fredrick J. Sutton was born July 17, 1913, at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

He enlisted in the Pennsylvania Motor Police from Mercer on September 1, 1937, and was assigned to Troop A-2, Harrisburg. He was 24 years old and 5'8½" tall.

At 6:15 p.m. on January 3, 1940, Private Sutton was detailed to assist R. G. Regi of McConnellsburg in serving a warrant on Brice Hann Sr., a livestock dealer. Hann was charged with passing a worthless $50.00 check. The fledgling constable had just been sworn in January 1. The men found Hann in the West End Restaurant, McConnellsburg, where they asked him to step outdoors. Hann left his companion and accompanied the officers. When Private Sutton informed Hann that he was being arrested for passing a bad check, Hann shot him with a gun that had been concealed in his overcoat pocket. Regi caught the wounded Trooper before he collapsed to the ground. Hann escaped down an alley on foot. Private Sutton was first treated by Dr. Edgar H. MacKinney, then rushed to Chambersburg Hospital where he underwent surgery performed by Motor Police surgeon Major David A. Johnston. Private William Paciecas donated blood for a transfusion. Private Sutton died that evening at 9:30 p.m.

Private Sutton was laid to rest with full military honors in the Prairie Catholic Cemetery, Harrisville, Butler County. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. J. C. Sutton, of Mercer. At 26, Private Sutton had completed one year and four months of Pennsylvania Motor Police service.

Over 100 Troopers and Fish/Game Wardens participated in the manhunt for Hann. The search was under the direction of Major Earl J. Henry and Lieutenant Colonel C. M. Wilhelm, assisted by Lieutenants A. H. Kratzke and Norman A. Annich. Within 26 hours, Hann was captured in a barn near Andover, 18 miles west of McConnellsburg, by Private George Wagenseller and Warden Frank Kirchner. When Colonel Lynn G. Adams was apprised of Hann's capture, he allegedly shouted, "I can't believe they took him alive!" Hann was charged with murder by District Attorney John Mintzer. This was the second murder of a Private in Fulton County. Nine years earlier, Sergeant Timothy J. McCarthy was killed by Marshal Lodge at Crystal Springs. McCarthy was assisting the Fulton County Sheriff in serving a warrant. Frederick Sutton Memorial Lodge was granted it's charter on March 29, 1949 and so named in memory of Trooper Sutton and the ultimate sacrifice he made for the residents of Pennsylvania.

Trooper Stephen R. Gyurke

Trooper Stephen R. Gyurke
July 3, 1929 - August 24, 1958

Stephen R. Gyurke was born July 3, 1929, at Nettleton, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

 He served with Headquarters Company 7806, United States Army, from September 29, 1948, to June 4, 1952. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from Nanty-Glo on October 4, 1954, and was assigned to Troop E-1, Erie, and subsequently Troop B-2, Turnpike Patrol.  He was 25 years old and 6'2" tall.

 At 12:15 p.m. on August 21, 1958, Trooper Gyurke was standing on the berm of the Turnpike roadway in Westmoreland County checking the credentials of a stopped truck driver.  A tractor-trailer left the main portion of the highway, struck the parked truck, and pinned Trooper Gyurke between both trucks.  He was taken to Frick Memorial Hospital at Mt. Pleasant where he died of his injuries at 9:00 a.m. on August 24.

 Trooper Gyurke is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Nanty-Glo. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Gyurke, of Nanty-Glo, and his brother William P. Gyurke, who also served with the Pennsylvania State Police. At 29, he had completed three years and ten months of Pennsylvania State Police service.

Corporal John S. Valent

Corporal John S. Valent
July 22, 1922 - December 9, 1971

John S. Valent was born July 22, 1922, at Blandburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

Prior to enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police, he served in the US Navy from September 1, 1942 to November 1, 1945, and fought during World War II. Corporal Valent enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from Blandburg on February 1, 1946, and was assigned to Troop G, Hollidaysburg. He was 23 years old and 5' 10½" tall.

At 7:10 p.m. on December 9, 1971, Corporal Valent was on patrol. He had stopped to question three young men in the Jamesway Department Store parking lot on U.S. Route 22, just outside of Lewistown. He called the Lewistown Station to report he was bringing the three in. They claimed to be from New York City and had no identification. The three young men were put in the back seat of the patrol car, and Corporal Valent proceeded to the station only a quarter of a mile away. Two blocks from the barracks, one of the three shot Corporal Valent in the back of the head twice. The trio escaped.

Corporal Valent was pronounced dead at Lewistown Hospital at 7:32 p.m. Corporal Valent was buried with full military honors at Juniata Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewistown. Governor Milton J. Shapp and Colonel Rocco P. Urella attended. State and local police from six states joined over fifty Commonwealth police agencies in paying tribute to Corporal Valent. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Madeline Valent, of Lewistown. At 49, Corporal Valent had completed 25 years of Pennsylvania State Police service.

The three escapees were later identified as Charles E. Koons, 22; Charles H. Knisley, 20; and Mark Geddes, 22, all of Altoona. The morning after Valent's death, Koons was shot and killed in a shoot-out with Troopers in Altoona. In the shoot-out, Trooper James H. Bradley, and Altoona Police Officer William Carter were wounded. Knisley and Geddes were later apprehended and charged with Corporal Valent's murder.

Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey
                       
Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey
May 22, 1947 - January 3, 1999

 
Arthur L. Hershey was born May 22, 1947, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Wallace A. Hershey, Sr. Hershey attended Central Fulton High School, McConnellsburg.

He served with the United States Army Combat Engineers from June 1964 to May 1967 as a squad leader and was discharged as a Sergeant E-5. On April 22, 1971, at the age of 23, Hershey enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from McConnellsburg. He graduated from the Academy on July 14, 1971, and was assigned to Troop F, Montoursville, where he served at the Montoursville, Mansfield and Lock Haven Stations.

Upon promotion to Corporal in 1983, he was transferred to Troop T, Highspire, where he served until he was transferred to Troop G, McConnellsburg, in 1984. Upon promotion to Sergeant in 1986, he was assigned to Troop J, Lancaster. In 1986, he transferred to Troop G, where he was Officer in Charge of the Bedford Station before being assigned as the Troop's Patrol Section Supervisor in Hollidaysburg. He subsequently returned to the Bedford Station as the Crime Section Supervisor.

Sergeant Hershey was en route to Harrisburg via the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Sunday, January 3, 1999. He was to train with the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Unit which was scheduled to perform in opening ceremonies at the State Farm Show. While stopped at the scene of an accident in Dublin Township, Fulton County, he was conversing with Trooper David P. Thomas, who was investigating the accident. The road surface at this point, milepost 180.2, eastbound lane, was icy and slush covered. The time was 1:02 p.m. While exchanging information with Trooper Thomas, they noticed a green pickup truck sliding out of control and heading for them. Trooper Thomas jumped free of the oncoming truck which then rolled over, striking Sergeant Hershey. He was killed instantly. The driver of the pickup, Linda C. Reppert, 33, of Allentown, escaped serious injury.

Services were held for Sergeant Hershey on January 6, 1999, at the Louis Geisel Funeral Home in Bedford. He was buried with full military honors at the Friends Cove United Church of Christ Cemetery in Colerain Township, Bedford County. In attendance were hundreds of fellow Troopers and law enforcement officers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Detail and representatives of the Tactical Mounted Unit were on hand to honor their comrade. At the opening of the 83rd Annual Pennsylvania State Farm Show, Colonel Paul J. Evanko, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, dedicated the performance of the 16-member Mounted Unit to Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey.

Sergeant Hershey is survived by his wife, Bettie, and two sons, Brian, at home, and Trooper Bradley Hershey, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop G, Bedford.

At 51 years of age, Sergeant Hershey had completed 27 years and 8 months of service with the Pennsylvania State Police. He was the 86th Trooper killed in the line of duty. He had the longest service record, and was the oldest member of the Department killed in the line of duty.