When you think about terms such as land use, septic systems, cul-de-sacs, property lines and others in municipal zoning ordinances, violence seems to be an unlikely visitor to such a world.

Yet, twice in more than five years in Monroe County, death has come to municipal officials involved in zoning disputes.

The most recent occurred on Nov. 27 at the Paradise Township Municipal Building, about 10 miles northwest of Stroudsburg. Michael Tripus, 65, who was contemplating retirement from his code and sewer enforcement job in 2019, was shot dead in a senseless killing shortly after he arrived for work.

Arrested and charged with homicide was David Green, 72, of Henryville, who came into the building shortly after municipal offices opened for the day, asked to see “Mike,” had a few words with him, then, according to police, pulled out a gun and shot him. Green is in the county prison awaiting his next court date.

I use the word “senseless,” because the suspect told reporters as he was led out of his arraignment that he does not know why he shot and killed Tripus and wanted to apologize to Tripus’ wife, Pam, for doing so. He had never met Tripus face-to-face until minutes before the deadly encounter.

The other terrible tragedy was in August 2013 in Saylorsburg, Ross Township, when Rockne Newell went on a shooting rampage at a township supervisors meeting and shot and killed three people and injured three others.

Newell pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to three life terms and received an additional 61 to 122 years for the attempted murder charges.

The common thread linking both of these cases involved property owners who had zoning issues with their respective municipalities.

Newell had had a long-standing feud with Ross Township officials over unsanitary conditions on his property. In Green’s case, however, there did not seem to be any major incidents, even when Green was cited for a septic tank violation in Pocono Township where he had previously lived.

His former home burned down, and he was having mold and other issues in the construction of his new home in Paradise Township. Neighbors believed that he was having trouble getting a permit from the township. Did this set him off? It seems as if Green himself is not sure why he committed such a heinous act.

The outpouring of grief for Tripus’ family was palpable. The Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday hosted a toy drive in Tripus’ honor for the Salvation Army in East Stroudsburg.

Every year, Tripus would gather toys for children and cart them to the Salvation Army to be distributed to needy kids in the area. If you were unable to attend the open house on Sunday, you can still make a donation of toys or cash at the Pocono Township Municipal Building.

Tripus was married to the former Pamela J. Serfas for less than two years. Pam Tripus has been Pocono Township’s secretary for 3½ years and its right-to-know officer. She took to Facebook after the killing, proclaiming: “I lost the love of my life today.” She thanked family, friends, even strangers for the outpouring of sympathy and concern. Tripus is also survived by a son, two stepsons and two sisters.

State Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe and Northampton, said, “Our community suffered a great loss with the tragic passing of Mike Tripus, a dedicated public servant who served our area townships on zoning and sewage issues. He will be deeply missed.”

Tripus was born in Lackawanna County and had lived in Pocono Township, Monroe County for four years, moving there from Jermyn in Lackawanna County. He was a building codes inspector for Building Inspectors Underwriters of Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, he was simultaneously serving as zoning officer, sewage enforcement officer and code official for Pocono Township, as well as building codes official for Paradise and Hamilton townships.　

Just as it has done with school shootings, the Paradise Township episode raises the issue of security. Many municipalities have beefed up security since the Ross Township killings. Now, officials are considering doing even more to protect elected and appointed officials and the public — a sober reminder that not even Paradise is immune from unspeakable violence.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com