Burns hosts ceremony dedicating Jackson Twp. bridge in honor of state trooper killed in the line of duty
Rep. Frank Burns September 21, 2018 | 2:58 PM
State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is joined by current and former state troopers at a bridge dedication ceremony for Trooper Gary Fisher’s on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Sept. 21 – The life and sacrifice of a state policeman killed while working undercover to get drugs off the streets was memorialized today as state Rep. Frank Burns presided over the dedication of the Trooper Gary Fisher Memorial Bridge at St. John Vianney Church in Jackson Township.
Fisher, who was born in Johnstown and joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1980, was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 3, 1985 during the attempted arrest of three men selling cocaine in Westmoreland County.
“Today we honor Trooper Gary Fisher, a man who made the ultimate sacrifice in his service to the public,” Burns said. “I hope that his story, and this bridge, serves as a reminder to those who cross it of the dangers that our law enforcement officers face every day. This is but a small measure of the gratitude we owe to Trooper Fisher and those who protect our homes and our communities day-in and day-out.”
The renaming of the bridge in Fisher’s honor was legislatively initiated by Burns as H.B. 1856 and became law with passage of Act 9 of 2018. The bridge is located on a portion of state Route 271 over U.S. Route 22 in Jackson Township.
Fisher’s father, two brothers and sister were also present for the dedication ceremony.
Fisher is also honored on the fourth page of the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall available online. You can find more information about Fisher, and a photograph, by following this link.