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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
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
86 officers from Pennsylvania State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
