Pocono News Section

Students Dedicate Run to Fallen State Trooper

Students Dedicate Run to Fallen State Trooper - Monday, June 7, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday June 07 2010

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - Monday was a somber day for the Pennsylvania State Police.

It was exactly one year ago that Trooper Joshua Miller was shot-and-killed in the line of duty. His family and community came together Monday to make sure his memory lives on.

A chunk of Route 611 was closed for students from Coolbaugh Elementary School to join state police and other officers for a special end-of-year run.

"I think Trooper Miller would be still honored by the outgoing support that the community has presented to him and his family as well as to law enforcement in general. I think he'd be very honored," Trooper David Peters said.

The run was extra special as fellow troopers ran by the exact spot where Miller lost his life. Many touched a memorial cross set up in his honor.

Miller, a father of three, was killed June 7, 2009 as he tried to rescue a nine-year-old boy who was kidnapped by his father.

"It brings back a lot of memories and it's memories like I said to honor Trooper Miller todayand this is what our job is, to do the best we can to serve the public," Daniel Smelas said. Smelas is an officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.

Even though they didn't know Trooper Miller, the students knew the importance of what they were doing.

"This run is about a trooper who died trying to save a kid's life on Route 611," student LaurenRepetski said.

Trooper Miller's family came out for the event. They even took a brief moment themselves to pause and reflect.

TrooperMiller's widow Angela also thanked thechildren who also raised $500 for Miller's memorial fund by selling T-shirts.

"You kids keep up the good work. Thank you for thinking of Josh and our family today. Thank you very much," Angela Miller said.