This page is dedicated to those members who have served within the Frederick Sutton Memorial Lodge area and have given their final measure during the course of duty.

Private Fredrick J. Sutton

1937-1940

At 6:15 p.m. on January 3, 1940, Private Sutton was detailed to assist R. G. Regi of McConnellsburg in serving a warrant on Brice Hann Sr., a livestock dealer. Hann was charged with passing a worthless $50.00 check. The fledgling constable had just been sworn in January 1. The men found Hann in the West End Restaurant, McConnellsburg, where they asked him to step outdoors. Hann left his companion and accompanied the officers. When Private Sutton informed Hann that he was being arrested for passing a bad check, Hann shot him with a gun that had been concealed in his overcoat pocket. Regi caught the wounded Trooper before he collapsed to the ground. Hann escaped down an alley on foot. Private Sutton was first treated by Dr. Edgar H. MacKinney, then rushed to Chambersburg Hospital where he underwent surgery performed by Motor Police surgeon Major David A. Johnston. Private William Paciecas donated blood for a transfusion. Private Sutton died that evening at 9:30 p.m.

Trooper Stephen R. Gyurke
1954-1958

Stephen R. Gyurke was born July 3, 1929, at Nettleton, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police on October 4, 1954, and was assigned to Troop B-2, Turnpike Patrol. He was 25 years old and 6'2" tall. At 12:15 p.m. on August 21, 1958, Trooper Gyurke had made a traffic stop and was standing on the berm of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County checking the credentials of a stopped truck driver. A tractor-trailer left the main portion of the highway, struck the parked truck, and pinned Trooper Gyurke between both trucks. He was taken to Frick Memorial Hospital at Mt. Pleasant where he died of his injuries at 9:00 a.m. on August 24. Trooper Gyurke is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Nanty-Glo. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Gyurke, of Nanty-Glo. At 29, he had completed three years and ten months of Pennsylvania State Police service.

Corporal John S. Valent

1946-1971

He was 23 years old and 5' 10½" tall. At 7:10 p.m. on December 9, 1971, Corporal Valent was on patrol. He had stopped to question three young men in the Jamesway Department Store parking lot on U.S. Route 22, just outside of Lewistown. He called the Lewistown Station to report he was bringing the three in. They claimed to be from New York City and had no identification. The three young men were put in the back seat of the patrol car, and Corporal Valent proceeded to the station only a quarter of a mile away. Two blocks from the barracks, one of the three shot Corporal Valent in the back of the head twice. The trio escaped.

Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey

1971-1999

Sergeant Hershey was en route to Harrisburg via the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Sunday, January 3, 1999. He was to train with the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Unit which was scheduled to perform in opening ceremonies at the State Farm Show. While stopped at the scene of an accident in Dublin Township, Fulton County, he was conversing with Trooper David P. Thomas, who was investigating the accident. The road surface at this point, milepost 180.2, eastbound lane, was icy and slush covered. The time was 1:02 p.m. While exchanging information with Trooper Thomas, they noticed a green pickup truck sliding out of control and heading for them. Trooper Thomas jumped free of the oncoming truck which then rolled over, striking Sergeant Hershey. He was killed instantly.  Sergeant Hershey was a dedicated member of the Fraternal Order of Police and was serving as lodge secretary for Lodge 57 at the time of his death.