Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police on Thursday honored the service and sacrifice of Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau Jr. and paid tribute to all members who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial ceremony at PSP Headquarters also marked the department’s 119th anniversary.

“Our fallen troopers make the ultimate sacrifice for Pennsylvania - and while today we gather and honor their life in service, we must also reaffirm every day that we never, ever forget,” Shapiro said.

“The men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities. My administration is committed to ensuring our troopers and their families have the help and support they deserve from every corner of our Commonwealth.”

“I am humbled and honored to pay tribute to Tpr. Jacques Rougeau Jr. and the 103 other members of the Pennsylvania State Police who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Their dedication and service will always be remembered.”

Trooper Rougeau was assigned to Troop G, Lewistown Station when he was fatally shot June 17, 2023. Trooper Rougeau enlisted in June 2020 as a member of the 160th cadet class and served nearly three years with the State Police. He was 29 years old.

On Saturday, June 17, Trooper Rougeau was on a day off when he learned that a gunman fired shots at parked patrol cars at PSP Lewistown before fleeing. During the search for him, the shooter critically wounded Lt. James Wagner before again fleeing. Trooper Rougeau responded to assist his brothers and sisters when was shot during the search for the gunman, who was shot and killed a short time later.

Colonel Paris presented the Pennsylvania State Police Cross to Trooper Rougeau’s wife. The award is presented to the next of kin of members who lost their lives under honorable circumstances in the performance of duty.

Trooper Rougeau’s name was ceremonially added to the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall, which now honors 104 members who died while serving the people of the Commonwealth. The names of the fallen were read aloud, and the service included a rifle salute, the playing of taps and a moment of silence.

The Pennsylvania State Police was created by legislation signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, becoming the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States.

Starting with just 228 men, the department has grown to an authorized complement of 4,841 enlisted women and men supported by more than 1,700 civilian employees. It is the 10th-largest police agency in the United States.

In 2010, trooper Joshua Miller was added to the wall after being killed in the a shootout in the Poconos. Trooper Miller lost his life on June 7, 2009, in a gunbattle in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The incident began when police officers in Nazareth, Northampton County, responded to a reported Protection from Abuse Order violation in which Daniel Autenrieth, 31, abducted his 9-year-old son at gunpoint and drove from the scene. The suspect led municipal and state police on a 40-mile pursuit through Northampton and Monroe counties before the fleeing vehicle was brought to a stop in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County.

As Trooper Miller and Trooper Robert J. Lombardo approached the driver’s side of Autenrieth’s vehicle and attempted to extract him, Autenrieth opened fire, hitting Troopers Miller and Lombardo who then returned fire, killing the suspect.

During the gunfight, Autenrieth’s son was successfully removed unharmed from the passenger’s side of the vehicle by fellow officers. Trooper Miller succumbed to his gunshot wounds later that day, while Trooper Lombardo would recover.

An online version of the PSP Memorial Wall, including photos and biographies of each member who died in the line of duty, is available at https://www.psp.pa.gov/memorial-wall/Pages/The-Memorial-Wall.aspx.