Cranberry, PA: State Police: Trooper Was Ambushed

CRANBERRY (KDKA) ―


Suspect In Trooper's Murder Found Dead
(1/14/2010)
State police are investigating a double-murder suicide in Venango County.

Investigators say Michael Smith shot State Trooper Paul Richey, killed his wife, Nancy Frey-Smith and then took his own life.

The shootings happened at a home on Bredinsburg Road in Cranberry near Oil City, about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh.

It all started around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday with a domestic violence call.

"Once the troopers arrived on scene, a male voice, believed to be that of Michael Smith, yelled from the residence for the troopers to return to their vehicles," Pennsylvania State Lt. Col. Lenny Bandy said. "The troopers ordered the male to present himself at which time a single shot was fired from within the residence, striking trooper Richey."

"I don't believe that he had a chance. I think that this plan was premeditated to the extent that whoever took that shot knew that they would have the advantage," Bandy added. "Trooper Richey did not have an opportunity to defend himself. He was ambushed."

Authorities entered the home around 6:15 p.m. and found the suspect and his wife in an upstairs bedroom.

Inside the suspect's home, they found three long rifles.

Meantime, Richey is survived by a wife, Carrie, and two young children -- a nine-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter.

"And today sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of the commonwealth, for the men and women of the Pennsylvania state police and for his actions we will be eternally grateful," Bandy said.

He is the 93rd member of the department to die in the line of duty.

Rendell has also ordered that flags across the state be lowered to fly at half-staff in honor of Trooper Richey.
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