Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Monday, December 12, 2005
Add to My HeroesJoseph Raymond Pokorny, Jr.
Corporal Joseph Pokorny was shot and killed following a short pursuit near an exit ramp from I-376 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, shortly after 2:00 am.
A violent struggle ensued after the driver of the vehicle crashed. During the struggle the suspect was able to gain control of Corporal Pokorny's service weapon. The suspect then shot him in the neck and chest. The round that struck him in the chest entered an area around his armpit not protected by his vest. The suspect then stole Corporal Pokorny's service weapon and fled the scene.
Several minutes later, a Carnegie police officer who happened to be driving by the scene, located Corporal Pokorny's body in a snowbank approximately 25-feet from his patrol car. A second handgun was found underneath Corporal Pokorny.
The suspect, who had been on parole for less than one month, was taken into custody later in the day and officially charged with Corporal Pokorny's murder two days later. On October 24th, 2007, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Corporal Pokorny had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 22-1/2 years, and was assigned to Troop B, Pittsburgh. He is survived by his son, daughter, and parents. His son graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police academy on March 15th, 2013.
On May 3rd, 2007, a section of I-279 was dedicated as the Corporal Joseph Raymond Pokorny Jr. Memorial Highway.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 22 years, 6 months
- Badge 4648
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 648 ReflectionsI metodi his son at the Get GO in Robinson Township a few years ago,I said to him ,when I recognized his name tag , I said that name sounds familiar,was that your DAD that was shot back in 1991, he responded it was ,I told him that I rememberered it,and that it was devastating to me,he said that it mean the world to him that I remembered that....he said to ,Hey ,I've got your coffee( to pay for it ) I said don't worry its free for me anyway I'm a Veteran!! I'll never forget that....with years in my eyes heres to you Mr. Pokorny....your friend forget....Peter Terry
SSGT. USAF
USAF
July 5, 2021
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