Hand Salute, Ready Two !!!

[gp38runner]

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Joshua D. Miller, 34, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, died June 7, 2009, while protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Josh was born June 13, 1974, a son of Walter Miller, of Pittston, and Peggy Miller, of Plymouth. Josh graduated from Pittston Area High School, Class of 1992. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1993, serving honorably and achieving the rank of Corporal upon his discharge.

Upon his separation from active duty, he worked at the Monroe County Correctional Facility. While working there, Josh enrolled at Lackawanna Junior College and attended the Act 120 course. Upon graduation from Act 120, Josh joined the Tunkhannock Borough Police Department in 1999 where he worked until September of 2002, when he then joined the Pennsylvania State Police.

Josh worked at the Bethlehem barracks, then transferring to the Swiftwater barracks. While there he was selected to be a member of an elite unit that conducted aggressive patrol within the Monroe County area of PSP operations. Josh took pride in training new troopers and hoped to instill his work ethic in these new young troopers.

While off duty, Josh enjoyed hunting with his wife and spending quality time with his family and friends. Staying physically fit played a large role in Josh’s life, as was evident in his high level of preparedness.

In 2001, Josh met his wife, Angela, and they were married in Oct. 2005.

Josh was preceded in death by his father, Walter, in 1998.

Surviving are his wife, the former Angela Bowman, of Laceyville, now of Pittston, Pa.; daughters Justine Miller, 16, Breana Miller, 13, and Joslyn Miller, 2; mother Peggy Hurysh and stepfather Michael Hurysh; stepmother Laurie Blake, of Duryea; sister Kelly Naples and brother-in-law David Naples; sister Season Hurysh; brother Jeremy Miller and Ciara Gregory; brothers Daniel, Joel and Jacob Miller; mother-in-law Robin Brown and Bill Pickett, of Laceyville; father-in-law Doug Bowman, of Laceyville; stepfather-in-law John Taluba, of Laceyville; brother-in-law Stephen Bowman and Jen Hill, of Laceyville; sister-in-law Brandy Taluba and Chris Norton, of Silvara; brother-in-law Mark Taluba and Stephanie Temple, of Glen Rock; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. from the Pittston Area High School, 5 Stout St. Yatesville, Pa., with Pastor Lori Robinson. Interment will be held at the Lacey Street Cemetery, Laceyville, Pa., with formal Pennsylvania State Police and Military Honors. Friends and family may call at the Pittston Area High School on Thursday, from 1 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements are by Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. For directions or online condolences, go to sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to the Josh Miller Memorial Fund, c/o P&G Federal Credit Union, 51 Warren Street, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

[Fievel]

Rest in peace, brother!

[Lisa 23]

I'm a graduate of the high school that Trooper Joshua Miller was being viewed at, and which he also was a graduate of. I didn't get the chance to pay my respects to him. They had the viewing start at 1pm yesterday and was suppossed to go until 8pm, but I think it went much longer than that.
The funeral is today and is suppossed to be televised here in our local area. I believe it starts around 12:30pm.
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Here's another article on Trooper Josh Miller......
Slain trooper mourned

By Bob Kalinowski (Staff Writer)
Published: June 12, 2009

YATESVILLE, PA - They came from across the state and beyond.
Hundreds of police officers, from nearly every state in the nation, shuffled through Pittston Area High School with heavy hearts.
They wear different uniforms and perform different jobs, but on this day their mission was the same: honor fallen state Trooper Joshua Miller.
"Even though it happened here, we lost a brother too," said Philadelphia police Sgt. Kenyatta Lee, whose department sent 50 officers to pay their respects at Miller's viewing on Thursday. "The citizens of Pennsylvania lost a hero."
Miller, 34, of Pittston Township, was gunned down Sunday in a shootout after a 40-mile vehicle pursuit in the Poconos.
To accommodate the outpouring of support from around the country, the married father of three's viewing was in the auditorium of his alma mater.
In his trooper uniform, he lay in an open casket surrounded by a grand floral display in front of the auditorium's stage. A running photo tribute of his life was projected on a screen behind the coffin, as solemn instrumental music played. Hundreds of mourners began to line up to pay their respects prior to the 1 p.m. start of the viewing. For nearly an hour, the line didn't move. A solemn tribute was occurring inside.
Dozens of state troopers were privately passing by the casket, being the first, after the family, to say goodbye to a fallen trooper and friend.
Capt. James Murtin, one of Miller's supervisors, came out to apologize and announce the public would be allowed in soon.
"It's a very deep and special moment for us. I thank you," Murtin said.
Murtin is the commanding officer of Troop N, Hazleton, the headquarters of Miller's station, the Swiftwater barracks. He walked the receiving line and thanked every single officer for coming.
"People from all parts of the country have come to support and give their sympathies to the state police and, in particular, Josh Miller and his family. It's hard to imagine a profession that comes together as much to support another," Murtin later said.
As people waited in the lobby of the school, they viewed the same photo tribute that was playing inside. They ranged from pictures of him as a baby to ones of him holding his very own baby girl. There were photos of family vacations, hunting trips and portraits with his wife and three daughters.
A table nearby displayed memorabilia of his time in the U.S. Marines and Pennsylvania State Police, which included his signed oath upon becoming a trooper in which he promised to "lay down my life as others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path of duty."
That's what his superiors say he did Sunday when a 9-year-old boy's life was at stake. He and fellow troopers joined a pursuit with a man accused of kidnapping his son at gunpoint near Easton. After a 40-mile chase, Miller forced the vehicle into a guiderail on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Township in Monroe County.
Miller and fellow Trooper Robert Lombardo, 35, of Pittston, rushed to the car. Bullets then began to fly.
Miller was fatally wounded. Lombardo sustained a wound to the shoulder. Return fire by the troopers killed the suspect, Daniel M. Autenrieth. The boy was saved, and his mother has hailed the troopers as heroes.
Miller leaves behind a wife, Angela, and three children, Justine, 16, Breana, 13, and Joslyn, 2.
"It's a shock. I can't believe it. It's tragic she has to raise that baby by herself," said Patti Bartuska, 51, of Avoca, while leaving the viewing on Thursday.
Bartuska's son-in-law, Trooper Nick Cortes, worked with Miller at the Swiftwater barracks. She was impressed by the mass of police officers gathered and touched by the emotions she saw in their faces.
"They never let their guard down, but you could see it on their faces, the grief, the sorrow, the tears in their eyes. He'll be badly missed. He's a hero."
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SEMPER FI MARINE and Rest In Peace

[Lisa 23]

If anyone is interested in signing the online guest book for Joshua D. Miller, here is the link.....
http://www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com/index.cfm

[Lisa 23]

Final farewell to a fallen trooper

by borys krawczeniuk

Gov. Ed Rendell and hundreds of law enforcement officers will join friend and family of fallen state Trooper Joshua Miller to say their final farewell.
The funeral is schedule to begin 11 a.m. at Pittston Area High School, 5 Stout St., Yatesville. Interment will follow at Lacey Street Cemetery in Laceyville.
The funeral ceremony will feature honors from fellow officers, an address by Mr. Rendell, a flyover and a posthumous Medal of Honor presentation, among other elements.

[Gunner 0313]

Trooper Joshua D. Miller
Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, June 7, 2009
Biographical Info
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 8819
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, June 7, 2009
Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Trooper Joshua Miller was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a kidnapping suspect.

At 7:45 pm members of the Nazareth Police Department responded to a report of a protection-from-abuse order violation involving a weapon. As they arrived, the suspect took a 9-year-old boy from his mother at gunpoint and fled the location in a vehicle, leading to a 40 mile vehicle pursuit.

The suspect's vehicle was stopped in Coolbaugh Township (Monroe County) when members of the Pennsylvania State Police utilized the PIT maneuver, causing the vehicle to crash. Following the crash, Trooper Miller and another trooper approached the car in an attempt to rescue the boy from the suspect, but the suspect opened fire on the troopers striking Trooper Miller in the neck and leg, and striking his partner in the arm. The troopers were able to return fire, killing the suspect.

When Trooper Miller and his partner were engaged in the gun battle, two other troopers were able to rescue the boy from the passenger seat of the suspect's vehicle and carried him to safety.

Trooper Miller was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wounds. His partner was also treated and recovered from his wound.

Trooper Miller had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for six years and was assigned to the Swiftwater State Police Barracks, and had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

On July 12, 2007 Trooper Miller, along with other members of the Pennsylvania State Police, assisted members of the New York City Police Department in the capture of two of the men who killed Police Officer Russell Timoshenko and wounded his partner on July 9, 2007 during a vehicle stop in Brooklyn, New York.

R.I.P. Marine !

[Lisa 23]

I just got done watching the memorial service tribute to Trooper Joshua D. Miller and I have to say it was a very fitting and derserving tribute to a fallen Trooper and MARINE.
He was a very loving husband, father and friend to everyone who knew him.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in their time of sorrow.
May he Rest in Peace.....Amen.

SEMPER FI MARINE

[Lisa 23]

Final Tribute to Trooper Joshua Miller


[IMG]http://media.timesleader.com/images/300*192/MillerFuneral1.jpg[/IMG]

Police officers from 48 states join Gov. Ed Rendell and hundreds of others for funeral services honoring slain State Trooper Joshua Miller of Pittston Township.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.
Governor Ed Rendell said, "Incidents like this make us step back and realize how difficult the job of a law enformcement officer is...more difficult than any other job out there. Trooper Miller set an example for others."
In a personal message to Miller's wife and children, Rendell added, "I lost my father when I was 14 and he didn't die a heroic death like your dad did...Everyday since his death I think of him and what advice he'd give me during my life. You havent lost your dad, his memory will be with you for the rest of your life."
Wyoming County District Attorney David Ide delivered the eulogy. A personal friend to Miller, Ide hired him to the Tunkhannock police force several years ago. During his remarks, Ide recalled Miller as a brave individual with many friends as evidenced by the officers in attendance.
With emotion in his voice, Ide said of his friend, "No one had a greater love for his wife, children and family. They were the first thing he saw when he arrived (at work), and the last when he left."
The heat and humidity of the day took its toll on about five officers, two of whom were carried out on scretchers. The other three were assisted off the field.
Trooper Miller was awarded the medal of honor--the highest honor that can be given to a Pennsylvania State Trooper.

11:03 a.m.

YATESVILLE -- Police officers from 48 states join Gov. Ed Rendell and hundreds of others for the procession honroing slain State Trooper Joshua Miller of Pittston Township.
The procession begins at 11 a.m. at Pittston Area High School and winds through Luzerne County ending at a cemetary in Laceyville, Wyoming County.
At least 600 vehicles are expected to participate in the procession honoring Miller who died Sunday in a stand off in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County.
A program was handed out to those in attendance this morning at the high school. Trooper Miller's photo appeared on the cover along with the words "End of Watch."
Residenets are urged to line the route from Yatesville to Laceyville.
Trooper Robert Lombardo, who was also shot in the line of duty, is at the stadium and will speak at the interment ceremony at the cemetary later today.
Michael Lombardo, Trooper Lombardo's brother, is thankful for the support of the community. "This is a great show of support for the family, however, this is something you never get over and you just deal with it the best you can."

[Lisa 23]

Yatesville, PA - Hundreds gathered Friday morning at the stadium at Pittston Area High School to remember the life of Trooper Joshua Miller.

The 34-year-old trooper died Sunday night in a shoot-out after a kidnapping suspect lead police on a high-speed chase that ended in the Poconos. The gray clouds that filled the morning sky had cleared to a brilliant blue as a U.S. Marine Corps color guard lead the procession escorting Trooper Miller's body into the stadium. They were followed by the New Jersey State Police Pipe Band.

Inside the stadium were hundreds of state troopers and police officers from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and more. All saluted as the hearse carrying Trooper Miller's body rolled onto the track to make it's way to the center of the field.

Trooper Miller was remembered by friend Detective David Ide with the Wyoming County District Attorney's office. They were officers together on the Tunkhannock Police Department before Miller became a state trooper. Other speakers included Governor Ed Rendell, Colonel Frank Pawlowski, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police and Lieutenant Colonel Tedescung Bandy, Deputy Commissioner of Operations of the Pennsylvania State Police. Colonel Pawlowski posthumously presented Trooper Miller the Pennsylvania State Police Medal of Honor. He presented the medal to Trooper Miller's widow, Angela.

Following the funeral, a long procession followed Trooper Miller's body to Laceyville, where a private burial will be held.