PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania House opened Friday’s session with a somber moment, unanimously passing a resolution that recognizes the state trooper who was shot and killed earlier this month in Juniata County.
On June 17, 29-year-old Trooper Jacques “Jay” Rougeau Jr. went to work on his day off after learning his barracks had been attacked by an armed man, Brandon Stine, 38, of Thompsontown. Rougeau was fatally shot in the line of duty.
State House Chief Clerk Brooke Wheeler read the resolution aloud on Friday: “Be it resolved that the House of Representatives celebrate the life and honor the memory of Trooper Jacque Rougeau Jr., who gave his life and the line of duty on June 17, 2023.”
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House members rose in a moment of silence for Rougeau.
“The resolution has been unanimously adopted,” said House Speaker Joanna McClinton. “The sergeant at arms will open the doors of the House and this chamber will continue to pray for the family of this fallen trooper.”
Rougeau, a native of Corry who lived in Mifflintown, was fatally shot by Stine, authorities said. Stine also critically wounded another trooper that day in a separate incident — Lt. James Wagner, 45 — before he was shot and killed himself after a manhunt and a fierce gunbattle with law enforcement. Stine’s motive remains under investigation.
Rougeau was killed by a gunshot through the windshield of his patrol car as he drove down a road in Walker Township, not far from the state police barracks. He had been a trooper since 2021 and was the 104th member of the state police to be killed in the line of duty.
Rougeau is remembered as a dedicated husband who loved Penn State football and enjoyed mentoring kids on the basketball court.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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