News for Immediate Release
Dec. 22, 2009
Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed Senate Bill 1070, designating a portion of Route 611 in Monroe County as the Trooper Joshua D. Miller Memorial Highway.
“This is a significant and richly deserved honor for a trooper who laid down his life rather than swerve from the path of duty,” Governor Rendell said. “We must never forget his courage or his sacrifice.”
Miller, 34, of Pittston, Luzerne County, was fatally wounded June 7 following a 40-mile, high-speed chase of an armed suspect who was fleeing with his kidnapped son. The suspect was pulled over on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Twp., Monroe County, and gunfire erupted, killing Miller and seriously injuring Tpr. Robert J. Lombardo, 35. The suspect also was killed, but his 9-year-old son was rescued unharmed.
“Josh Miller was an exemplary trooper,” said State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. “His death was a tremendous loss for the department. His dedication will forever serve as a beacon to all those who protect the public.”
Miller graduated from the State Police Academy in April 2003 and initially was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County. He later transferred to Troop N, Swiftwater. He is survived by his wife, Angela M. Miller, who works for state police as a police communications operator at Troop P, Wyoming, Luzerne County, and three daughters.
The designated area of Route 611 stretches from Tobyhanna to Interstate 380 in Coolbaugh Township.
Media contacts:
Lt. Myra A. Taylor and Jack J. Lewis, State Police, 717-783-5556
Gary Tuma, Governor’s Office, 717-783-1116
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