Hundreds pay respects to fallen trooper
Published: June 12, 2009
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mark moran / staff photographer Philadelphia police officers wait in line to pay their respects to fallen Trooper Joshua Miller.
Mark Moran / The Citizens' Voice Pennsylvania State Police Troopers carry the casket of Trooper Joshua Miller into the Pittston Area High School for his viewing.
Mark Moran / The Citizens' Voice Pennsylvania State Police Troopers carry the casket of Trooper Joshua Miller into the Pittston Area High School for his viewing.
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YATESVILLE - They came from across the state and beyond.
Hundreds of police officers, from nearly every state, 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 Trooper Miller's viewing on Thursday. "The citizens of Pennsylvania lost a hero."
Trooper Miller, 34, of Pittston Twp., was killed Sunday in a shootout with a man who had kidnapped his own 9-year-old son.
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 uniform, he lay in an open casket surrounded by a grand floral display in front of the auditorium's stage. A photo tribute of his life was projected on a screen behind the casket, 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 passing by the casket, being the first, after the family, to say goodbye to a fallen trooper and friend.
Capt. James Murtin, one of Trooper 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," Capt. Murtin said.
Capt. Murtin is the commanding officer of Troop N, Hazleton, the headquarters of Trooper Miller's station, the Swiftwater barracks. He walked the receiving line and thanked every 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 one another," Capt. Murtin said.
As people waited in the lobby of the school, they viewed the same photo tribute that was playing inside. The pictures ranged from Trooper Miller as a baby to holding his 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 Marines and 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 said he did Sunday when a 9-year-old boy's life was at stake. He and fellow troopers joined a pursuit of a man accused of kidnapping his son at gunpoint near Easton. After a 40-mile chase, Trooper Miller forced the vehicle into a guardrail on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Twp. in Monroe County.
Trooper Miller and Trooper Robert Lombardo, 35, of Pittston, rushed to the car.
Bullets flew.
Trooper Miller was fatally wounded. Trooper Lombardo was shot in his shoulder. Shots fired by the troopers killed the suspect, Daniel M. Autenrieth. The boy was unharmed.
Trooper Miller leaves behind a wife, Angela, and 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 Thursday.
Ms. Bartuska's son-in-law, Trooper Nick Cortes, worked with Trooper 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."
Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com
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