PA Trooper Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop In Chester Co.: Authorities

WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, PA — A driver fatally shot a Pennsylvania state trooper and then killed himself during a traffic stop Sunday night in Chester County, authorities said.

State Police identified the fallen trooper as Cpl. Timothy J. O’Connor Jr., who had served the department since 2010. He was 40.

O'Connor had responded to a report of an erratic driver by Walnut and Compass roads in Honey Brook Township, according to State Police.

He found the vehicle within minutes and pulled the driver over just before 8:30 p.m. in West Caln Township, near the intersection of Route 10 and Michael Road.

As O'Connor approached the vehicle, the driver shot him from inside the car, authorities said. The shooter then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance and shot himself with a semi-automatic pistol, according to State Police.

O'Connor was brought to Paoli Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"This is a tragic day for all of us," said Lt. Col. George Bivens, acting commissioner of State Police. "We have lost a dear member of our family, a hero and member of the Pennsylvania State Police."

The shooter — identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, of Honey Brook — was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gov. Josh Shapiro directed all flags across Pennsylvania to be lowered Monday in O’Connor's honor.

"Pennsylvania tragically lost one of our finest when State Police Cpl. Tim O’Connor was killed in the line of duty," Shapiro said. "My heart breaks for Cpl. O’Connor’s wife Casey, their young daughter, and their entire family."

O'Connor served as a State Police patrol unit supervisor at Troop J's Embreeville Station. Troop J covers Chester, Lancaster and York counties.

He enlisted in Pennsylvania State Police in September 2010 as a member of the 131st cadet class. Upon graduating, he was assigned to Troop J, Avondale Station, where he joined the criminal investigations unit in 2016.

In March 2022, O'Connor transferred to Embreeville. He was promoted to corporal that July.

State Police and the Chester County District Attorney's Office are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.