A kidnapping and high-speed chase ended in tragedy Sunday night in Monroe County.
Trooper Joshua Miller, 34, was killed and Trooper Robert Lombardo, 35, was shot and injured.
It happened as they tried to rescue a nine-year-old boy who had been taken at gunpoint by his father. The boy's father was also killed.
State police held a news conference Monday afternoon giving new details on how the tragic events of last night unfolded.
"I can't begin to describe the hurt and sorrow being experience by the Pennsylvania State Police," said state police commissioner Colonel Frank Pawlowski,
Troopers said the investigation continues into what led to the high-speed chase that ended with the death of the state trooper and the man who shot him, and the injury of another trooper.
Police said it started at a home on Union street in Nazareth, Northampton County.
Investigators said Daniel Autenrietch, 31, was dropping off his three children at his estranged wife's house when a dispute broke out.
Police said Autenrietch went into the home and took his nine-year-old son at gunpoint and fled.
According to police, that started a 40 minute high-speed chase with officers from multiple police departments starting in Northampton County, going into Monroe County, through Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono and then finally ending near Tobyhanna around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 611 and Route 423.
Authorities said a control maneuver using nine police cars was able to stop Autenrietch's car but when state troopers Joshua Miller and Robert Lombardo approached the driver's side of the vehicle, Autenrietch opened fire. Both troopers were shot. Trooper Miller later died.
Autenrietch was shot and killed at the scene.
State police said Autenrietch's nine-year-old son was in passenger seat the whole time and was not harmed because of the heroic actions of both troopers.
"He had every opportunity to end this event peacefully and he chose not to and because of that decision we've lost one of our finest," said Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Lenny Brandy.
The flags are flying at half staff Monday at the state police barracks in Swiftwater in memory of Trooper Joshua Miller. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, but a service will be held at Pittston Area High School and he will be buried in Laceyville, Wyoming County.
Trooper Joshua Miller, 34, was killed and Trooper Robert Lombardo, 35, was shot and injured.
It happened as they tried to rescue a nine-year-old boy who had been taken at gunpoint by his father. The boy's father was also killed.
State police held a news conference Monday afternoon giving new details on how the tragic events of last night unfolded.
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Troopers said the investigation continues into what led to the high-speed chase that ended with the death of the state trooper and the man who shot him, and the injury of another trooper.
Police said it started at a home on Union street in Nazareth, Northampton County.
Investigators said Daniel Autenrietch, 31, was dropping off his three children at his estranged wife's house when a dispute broke out.
Police said Autenrietch went into the home and took his nine-year-old son at gunpoint and fled.
According to police, that started a 40 minute high-speed chase with officers from multiple police departments starting in Northampton County, going into Monroe County, through Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono and then finally ending near Tobyhanna around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 611 and Route 423.
Authorities said a control maneuver using nine police cars was able to stop Autenrietch's car but when state troopers Joshua Miller and Robert Lombardo approached the driver's side of the vehicle, Autenrietch opened fire. Both troopers were shot. Trooper Miller later died.
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State police said Autenrietch's nine-year-old son was in passenger seat the whole time and was not harmed because of the heroic actions of both troopers.
"He had every opportunity to end this event peacefully and he chose not to and because of that decision we've lost one of our finest," said Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Lenny Brandy.
The flags are flying at half staff Monday at the state police barracks in Swiftwater in memory of Trooper Joshua Miller. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, but a service will be held at Pittston Area High School and he will be buried in Laceyville, Wyoming County.
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