Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Gabe Rich and Sergeant Scott Johnson were shot and killed while investigating reports that a person had brandished a firearm in the village of Tanana several days earlier.
Both troopers had gone to a home on Front Street with a warrant to arrest the suspect. The suspect refused to go peacefully, but Trooper Rich and Trooper Johnson allowed his wife to go inside the home to get the suspect's things. While they were attempting to arrest the subject, his son exited the home and shot both officers. The suspect then tampered with evidence to make it look like the Troopers pulled out their weapons. However, Trooper Rich and Trooper Rich were wearing audio recorders, and the whole incident was recorded.
The son was taken into custody following the incident, convicted of both murders, and sentenced to 203 years in prison. The suspect was convicted of evidence tampering. Both troopers had gone to a home on Front Street to speak to the suspect.
Trooper Rich had served with the Alaska State Troopers for 3 1/2 years and had previously served with the North Pole Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two sons, fiance, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AK-12EF2301- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Rich gave the Alaska State Troopers 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alaska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Rich.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Gabriel Lenox Rich is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AK, 35 of 50 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this state's fallen. That is 70 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Alaska State Troopers, 7 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gabriel Lenox Rich's cause is highlighted.
How Gabriel Lenox Rich Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gabriel Lenox Rich is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gabriel Lenox Rich was killed by rifle; mini 14.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Alaska State Troopers are honored on badge.nw.
