Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Paul Richey was shot and killed when he and another trooper responded to a domestic disturbance call in Cranberry Township, Venango County, at 11:45 am.
Both troopers arrived at the scene and exited their vehicles. As they approached the house, a male voice called from a window for the Troopers to return to their cars. The troopers then ordered the man to show himself and at that point Trooper Richey was hit in the neck with a .30-30 rifle round fired from the window of the residence. The other Trooper immediately returned fire to provide cover to get to Trooper Richey.
Upon the arrival of additional troopers, two Troopers provided cover fire while additional troopers removed Trooper Richey from the scene. Trooper Richey was transported to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Northwest Hospital, Seneca, Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect then murdered his wife before committing suicide. Investigators found three guns in the bedroom: a .30-.30 Marlin rifle with a scope, a .22-caliber rifle with a scope and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Trooper Richey had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 16.5 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DCA694C1- 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 Richey gave the Pennsylvania State Police 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Richey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Paul Garmong Richey 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. Paul Garmong Richey's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Garmong Richey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Garmong Richey is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Garmong Richey was killed by rifle; .30-.30.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
86 officers from Pennsylvania State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
