Police Chaplain Mourned After Motorcycle Crash In Berlin: UPDATE

BERLIN, CT — A 65-year-old Cromwell man and state police chaplain was killed after the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a vehicle on Route 9 in Berlin late Wednesday afternoon.

According to Connecticut State Police at Troop H in Hartford, the Rev. Paul David Kramplitz, 65, of Court Street, Cromwell, was killed after the Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating collided with another vehicle on the state highway.

Chaplain mourned

The longtime chaplain's death sent shock waves through the state law enforcement community, as Krampitz was, often, a friendly face that helped officers cope with seeing some of the worst of their jobs.

Krampitz was appointed as a Connecticut State Police chaplain on July 3, 2008.

He was assigned to Troop L (Litchfield), Troop H (Hartford), and DESPP Headquarters in Middletown.

"Chaplain Krampitz touched the lives of hundreds of Troopers, Dispatchers, and support staff in his 16 years of service," wrote Connecticut State Police in a statement Thursday morning.

Police officials called Krampitz a "pillar to our agency" following one of the darkest days law enforcers ever had to deal with in December 2012 — the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown.

"Chaplain Krampitz was a pillar to our agency following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and navigated our agency through dozens of critical incident stress management debriefings," wrote CSP.

"Often sought after by troopers, command staff, and chaplains for spiritual support, counsel, mentorship, and guidance, Chaplain Krampitz was a reputable and respected member of our agency."

Police said Krampitz was a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Hartford Seminary, where he received his Doctor of Ministry degree.

He also completed a year of study at the Lutheran School of Theology in Philadelphia.

Before being called to Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, he served congregations in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

He is a past dean of the Southern CT and Central CT Conferences and served on the New England Synod Council and Candidacy Committee.

Krampitz also serves as a chaplain for Luther Ridge of Middletown and the Cromwell police and fire departments.

He is survived by his wife Paula and their three children Zoë, Zaidan, and Zachary. He has two adult daughters, Christina and Maria.

The accident

Police, in an accident report released late Wednesday night, said Kramplitz was riding in the left lane of two on Route 9 North in Berlin near Exit 33.

Meanwhile, police said a 2006 Chevrolet Impala being driven by a 24-year-old New Britain man was traveling in the right lane of Route 9, in front of the motorcycle.

According to the report, the Impala at 4:14 p.m. "encroached into the left lane and collided" with the Harley-Davidson.

As a result of the collision, Kramplitz was thrown from his motorcycle, which ended up on the left shoulder.

Police said he suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to New Britain Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Impala was not injured and declined medical treatment.

The accident is still under investigation by state police, who are seeking the public's help in the probe.

Route 9 was closed for a lengthy period of time as crews tended to the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dash camera footage of the area at the time of the collision is asked to contact Trooper Michael Dean at Troop H in Hartford at 860-534-1098 or by email at michael.dean@ct.gov