Harrisburg Police Bureau, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Saturday, July 20, 1963
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: July 20, 1963
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Died at the scene
Patrol Officer Barry Karper and Patrol Officer Joseph O'Shura were killed in an automobile crash at the end of a three-mile-long pursuit while chasing a stolen vehicle shortly after 1:30 am.
Both officers spotted a vehicle that was reported stolen a week earlier in the area of Market Street and immediately gave chase. As both officers were following behind the stolen vehicle, the driver hit his brakes at a high rate of speed while attempting to make a right turn onto Division Street, losing control of the vehicle and striking a group of trees. Officer O'Shura, who was driving, swerved left to avoid striking the auto and struck the same group of trees.
The driver of the stolen vehicle and both officers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Karper was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Harrisburg Police Bureau for six months. He was survived by both of his parents, sister, brother, and Maternal Grandmother.