Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Joseph Sepp succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day at 2:30 am following a vehicle pursuit. Local officers had stopped a man suspected of drunk driving in Summerhill.
When the officers noticed the man had a gun, they ordered him out of the car. He instead fled in the car and led officers on a pursuit until he crashed into a patrol car and a utility pole in Ebensburg. When the suspect's vehicle crashed, the patrol units stopped in close proximity. The suspect exited his car and opened fire, striking Trooper Sepp in the head. Other officers returned fire and struck the suspect.
Trooper Sepp was transported to Memorial Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wound.
The suspect was charged with murder in connection with Trooper Sepp's death. He was convicted of first-degree murder on December 10, 2003. He was sentenced to life on December 11, 2003. The inmate died in prison on October 27, 2011.
Trooper Sepp had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 10.5 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-255F9C5E- 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 Sepp gave the Pennsylvania State Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Sepp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Joseph James Sepp Jr. 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pennsylvania State Police, 34 of 87 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph James Sepp Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph James Sepp Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph James Sepp Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph James Sepp Jr. was killed by handgun; .41 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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