Barry Karper
1963
Barry Penrose Karper served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
What Happened
Patrol Officer Barry Karper and Patrol Officer Joseph O'Shura were killed in an automobile crash at the end of a three-mile-long pursuit while chasing a stolen vehicle shortly after 1:30 am. Both officers spotted a vehicle that was reported stolen a week earlier in the area of Market Street and immediately gave chase. As both officers were following behind the stolen vehicle, the driver hit his brakes at a high rate of speed while attempting to make a right turn onto Division Street, losing control of the vehicle and striking a group of trees. Officer O'Shura, who was driving, swerved left to avoid striking the auto and struck the same group of trees. The driver of the stolen vehicle and both officers were pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Karper was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Harrisburg Police Bureau for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by both of his parents, sister, brother, and Maternal Grandmother.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Harrisburg Police Bureau
Patrol Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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