Burns bill to name Windber bridge after fallen state trooper becomes law
Rep. Frank Burns July 9, 2014
HARRISBURG, July 9 – The governor has signed into law a measure introduced by Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, that pays tribute to a local Pennsylvania state trooper who lost his life in the line of duty.
The measure renames the bridge carrying 17th Street over state Route 56 in Windber in honor of Pennsylvania State Trooper Joseph J. Sepp Jr., who died after being shot by a fleeing suspect in a high-speed chase in Ebensburg in 2002.
"Naming this bridge the Joseph Sepp Memorial Bridge is one way we can honor this trooper for his service, and I am glad to see my proposal become reality," Burns said.
Born in Wilkinsburg, Sepp was raised in Windber and graduated from the high school in 1986. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, he enlisted with the state police on Feb. 24, 1992. He was stationed in Montoursville and Somerset before transferring to Ebensburg for duty in October 1996.
He is survived by his wife Jenny, daughter Amanda Jo and sons Joey and Andy, as well as his parents Joseph and Lana Gay Sepp, and sister Tina.
Sepp was a 10-year veteran of the state police and was the 89th member to be killed in the line of duty.
The bridge's new name takes effect in 60 days.