DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A funeral service was held Wednesday at St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown for Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy J. O’Connor Jr., who was killed in the line of duty March 8 during a traffic stop in Chester County.
O’Connor, a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, was shot during a traffic stop in West Caln Township after responding to a report of an erratic driver, according to state police.
Authorities said the driver opened fire from inside the vehicle as O’Connor approached, striking the trooper.
The gunman then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance, and fatally shot himself, police said.
O’Connor enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in September 2010 as part of the 131st Cadet Class.
After graduating from the State Police Academy in April 2011, he was assigned to Troop J in Avondale.
He later transferred to the Troop J Vice Unit in October 2016 before returning to patrol in Embreeville in March 2022.
O’Connor was promoted to corporal in July 2022 and remained assigned to the Embreeville station.
According to state police, O’Connor is the 105th member of the agency to be killed in the line of duty.
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