THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE   Corporal Joseph Pokorny Pennsylvania State Police Troop "B" 1960-2005

Incident Details

Biographical Info
Age: 45
Years of Service: 22 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 4648

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, December 12, 2005
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Charged with homicide

Corporal Joseph Pokorny was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near an exit ramp from I-279 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, shortly after 0200 hours.

During the stop a violent struggle ensued during which Corporal Pokorny was shot in the neck and chest. The round that struck him in the chest entered an area around his armpit not protected by his vest. The suspect then stole Corporal Pokorny's service weapon and fled the scene. The weapon used to shoot Corporal Pokorny was found underneath his body.

Several minutes later, a Carnegie police officer who happened to be driving by the scene, located Corporal Pokorny's body in a snowbank approximately 25-feet from his patrol car.

The suspect, who had been on parole for less than one month, was taken into custody later in the day and officially charged with Corporal Pokorny's murder two days later.

Corporal Pokorny had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 22.5 years, and was assigned to Troop B, Pittsburgh. He is survived by his son, daughter, and parents.