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Trooper Ronald L. Carey, 29 years of age, and his partner, Trooper David C. Yarrington, 24, attempted to capture two hold-up suspects at the Concord Motel, U. S. Route 202, Johnson's Corner, Pennsylvania, on January 5, 1972.
The results of the valorous act ended in tragedy. They were shot and killed in Pennsylvania by the female accomplice of a suspect they were struggling with. The troopers were investigating an armed robbery when they noticed a suspicious vehicle at a nearby hotel over the state line. When they began to investigate the vehicle they became engaged in a struggle with the male suspect. During the struggle the female accomplice shot both troopers. The two suspects fled and the male suspect was later shot and killed by Maryland State Troopers. The female suspect was returned to Pennsylvania where she was sentenced to death. Her sentence was later commuted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to life in prison. Trooper Carey served with the Delaware State Police for two and a half years and was assigned to Troop 1, Penny Hill. Governor Russell Peterson expressed sorrow over the deaths. �This is a tragic reminder of the dangerous and courageous job that�s being done every day by out Delaware State Police. On behalf of the people of Delaware, I extend my deepest sympathy�� This dual tragedy was perhaps best summarized by Ronald Carey's mother, who said of her son, "I suppose if he had to go, this is the way he wanted to go, but I didn't think it would be so soon." Trooper Carey leaves a wife, Elizabeth Lee, and three children, Lynne Elaine, Jeffrey Ronald, and John William to carry on without him. Trooper Carey was buried in Lawn Croft Cemetery, Boothwyn, Pennsylvania on January 10, 1972. |