Trooper Philip S. Kesner

Philip S. Kesner

Trooper Philip Kesner was shot and killed during a prison break from the West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville, West Virginia. Trooper Kesner, who was off duty, was driving past the prison with his wife at the same time that 15 prisoners escaped from the prison. Trooper Kesner was pulled from his car by some of the prisoners and shot as he attempted to take action. Although mortally wounded, Trooper Kesner was able to return fire at the fleeing suspects.

The suspect who shot Trooper Kesner was in jail for the murder of Sergeant David Lilly, of the Beckley Police Department, on May 12, 1975. The suspect shot Trooper Kesner with a service weapon stolen from one of the prison guards during the escape.

The man, now 36, was placed on the FBIs 10 most wanted list. He remained on the run for two years. In 1980 he broke into a home in Virginia and shot at the owner as she arrived home. On March 12, 1981 he murdered a man in Scottsdale, Arizona during a burglary of his home. The suspect was finally arrested on June, 8, 1981 in New York City following a shootout with federal agents. He was returned to West Virginia to complete several life sentences. As of August 30, 2019, he was in Mount Olive Prison. If he is ever released he faces a death sentence in Arizona. He was convicted there of burglary, first degree murder and sentenced to death on February 10, 1984. As of October 29, 2022. he was in the West Virginia Penitentiary.

Trooper Kesner was survived by his wife.