Alaska State Troopers, Alaska
End of Watch: Monday, February 18, 1974
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 18, 1974
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Trooper Dennis Cronin was shot and killed in Anchorage, Alaska, by an informant while assigned to a Drug Enforcement Task Force.
He was meeting with the informant in his squad car when the shooting took place. The suspect then committed suicide with his motives never known.
Trooper Cronin was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Alaska State Troopers for almost four years. He was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, and a step-son, who he was in the process of adopting. His wife gave birth to a son a few months after his death.
Trooper Cronin is the first Alaska State Trooper to die in the line of duty.