THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE  Private Thomas P. Carey Pennsylvania Motor Police Troop "C-4" 1909-1941

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Years of Service: 6 years and 1 month

Incident Details
Cause of Death:  Acute suffocation caused by poisonous fumes (carbon tetrachloride fire extinguisher)
Date of Incident: June 17, 1941


Thomas P. Carey was born November 9, 1909, at East Plymouth, Pennsylvania.


He enlisted in the State Highway Patrol from East Plymouth on May 2, 1935, and was assigned to Troop E, Philadelphia. As a result of the State Police/Highway Patrol merger, he was reassigned to Troop C-4, Reading. He was 25 years old and 5'11½" tall.

At 8:20 p.m. on June 17, 1941, Private Carey and Private J. J. Comerford were dispatched to the scene of an accident on U. S. Route 22 near Boltz's Corner, Berks County. Upon arrival at the accident scene, they saw two occupants trapped in a wrecked vehicle which was in flames. Private Carey assisted firemen in putting the fire out, using a state-issued carbon tetrachloride extinguisher. He became ill immediately and was taken to a nearby doctor's office where he collapsed and died at 10:00 p.m. Dr. Paul D. Good, Berks County Coroner, attributed death to acute suffocation caused by poisonous fumes. All carbon tetrachloride extinguishers were withdrawn from service and replaced with non-toxic extinguishers.

Private Carey is buried in Duncannon Cemetery, Duncannon. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary M. Carey, of Duncannon.

At 31, he had completed six years and one month of Pennsylvania Motor Police service.