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THE
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE |
Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey
Pennsylvania State Police
Troop "G" |
1947-1999 |
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Biographical Info
Age:
51
Years of Service:
27 years and
8 months
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Struck by a vehicle
Date of Incident:
January 3,
1999
Arthur L. Hershey was born May 22, 1947, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. His parents were Mr. and
Mrs. Wallace A. Hershey, Sr. Hershey attended Central Fulton High School, McConnellsburg.
He served with the United States Army Combat Engineers from June 1964 to May 1967 as a squad
leader and was discharged as a Sergeant E-5. On April 22, 1971, at the age of 23, Hershey
enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from McConnellsburg. He graduated from the Academy
on July 14, 1971, and was assigned to Troop F, Montoursville, where he served at the
Montoursville, Mansfield and Lock Haven Stations.
Upon promotion to Corporal in 1983, he was transferred to Troop T, Highspire, where he served
until he was transferred to Troop G, McConnellsburg, in 1984. Upon promotion to Sergeant in
1986, he was assigned to Troop J, Lancaster. In 1986, he transferred to Troop G, where he was
Officer in Charge of the Bedford Station before being assigned as the Troop's Patrol Section
Supervisor in Hollidaysburg. He subsequently returned to the Bedford Station as the Crime
Section Supervisor.
Sergeant Hershey was en route to Harrisburg via the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Sunday, January
3, 1999. He was to train with the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Unit which was scheduled
to perform in opening ceremonies at the State Farm Show. While stopped at the scene of an
accident in Dublin Township, Fulton County, he was conversing with Trooper David P. Thomas,
who was investigating the accident. The road surface at this point, milepost 180.2, eastbound
lane, was icy and slush covered. The time was 1:02 p.m. While exchanging information with
Trooper Thomas, they noticed a green pickup truck sliding out of control and heading for them.
Trooper Thomas jumped free of the oncoming truck which then rolled over, striking Sergeant
Hershey. He was killed instantly. The driver of the pickup, Linda C. Reppert, 33, of
Allentown, escaped serious injury.
Services were held for Sergeant Hershey on January 6, 1999, at the Louis Geisel Funeral Home
in Bedford. He was buried with full military honors at the Friends Cove United Church of
Christ Cemetery in Colerain Township, Bedford County. In attendance were hundreds of fellow
Troopers and law enforcement officers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Detail and representatives of the Tactical Mounted
Unit were on hand to honor their comrade. At the opening of the 83rd Annual Pennsylvania State
Farm Show, Colonel Paul J. Evanko, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, dedicated
the performance of the 16-member Mounted Unit to Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey.
Sergeant Hershey is survived by his wife, Bettie, and two sons, Brian, at home, and Trooper
Bradley Hershey, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop G, Bedford.
At 51 years of age, Sergeant Hershey had completed 27 years and 8 months of service with the
Pennsylvania State Police. He was the 86th Trooper killed in the line of duty.
He had the
longest service record, and was the oldest member of the Department killed in the line
of
duty.
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