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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
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alaska State Troopers has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Gabriel is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
Gabriel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gabriel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2014, 2 officers at Alaska State Troopers were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2014, 2 officers in AK were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2014, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2014, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gabriel was 26. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Alaska State Troopers whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 34. Gabriel had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Gabriel was 26. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Gabriel had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gabriel was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gabriel had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gabriel was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gabriel had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 42.9% of these deaths at Alaska State Troopers, more than any other month. Thursdays: 28.6%.
May holds 14.3% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Thursdays: 25.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Alaska State Troopers, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; mini 14, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; mini 14, in 5.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; mini 14, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; mini 14, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Alaska State Troopers has 12 officers remembered here, Gabriel among them.
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Dennis Finbar Cronin
Feb 18, 1974
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Larry Robert Carr
Dec 11, 1974
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Frank Stuart Rodman
Dec 11, 1974
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Roland Edgar Chevalier, Jr.
Apr 3, 1982
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Troy Lynn Duncan
May 19, 1984
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Robert Lee Bittick
Oct 11, 1994
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Bruce Alan Heck
Jan 10, 1997
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Hans-Peter Roelle
Nov 24, 2001
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Tage Brandel Toll
Mar 30, 2013
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Gabriel Lenox Rich
May 1, 2014
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Patrick Scott Johnson
May 1, 2014
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Curtis Matthew Worland
Dec 13, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Alaska State Troopers are honored on badge.nw.
