News

Slain Trooper Was Active Church Member

Jackie Campbell

1/14/2010

Murder Victim Also Tied to Christ Church in Franklin

A Pennsylvania state trooper slain while responding to a suspected domestic incident was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin, PA. The woman whose body was found inside the home where he was ambushed was a member of the same church.

Trooper Paul Richey, 40, who helped with junior church and regularly attended the second worship service at Christ Church with his family, was killed by a single bullet around noon Jan. 13 while approaching the home of Michael J. Smith, 44, and his wife Nancy Frey-Smith. Troopers later found the body of Mrs. Smith and her husband, the suspected gunman, dead from gunshot wounds inside. State Police officials said evidence found at the scene indicated the trooper was ambushed.

"There are no words for what's happened today," Rev. David Janz, pastor of Christ Church told a KDKA-TV news crew. He described Richey, his wife Carrie, and their children, 9-year-old Connor and 6-year-old Catherine, as “the ideal family. They are just wonderfully loving to each other. They are great parts of this congregation – very involved in children's ministry."

Janz said at such times, “just being there” is important, “let people cry on your shoulder, you come alongside them when they look like they're a little alone and you just let Carrie and the family know that you're there."

Janz will officiate at funeral services for Mrs. Frey-Smith at 4 pm. , Saturday, Jan. 16, at The Huff Chapel funeral home in Franklin. He will also lead a funeral service for Trooper Richey, scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Franklin High School auditorium. Visitation for Trooper Richey is from 2 to 9 p.m. at The Gardinier Funeral Home in Franklin.

Julie Lake, a member of the church who serves as administrative assistant in the Franklin District office of the United Methodist Church, said Jan. 13 was difficult day.

“We heard the sound of sirens for hours as other troopers came to Franklin,” she said, noting that Mrs. Smith and others in her family also attended the church.

“Her father was the choir director there for years and her mother was a member of the choir,” Lake said. “They were faithful pillars of the church before they passed on.” Mrs. Frey-Smith, who worked at the A. Crivelli car dealership on Route 8, served on a county advisory committee for the Two Mile Run County Park. She lived in the park, where her father was superintendent for several years, while growing up.

Lake said the tragedy had a huge impact on the entire community, including the other state troopers and their families who attend Christ Church. “It has been amazing to see how far reaching the scope of this tragedy has extended and the connections to members of the community,” she said. Richey's funeral service was scheduled at the high school because of the large number of mourners expected.

Trooper Richey’s parents are members of East Grove United Methodist Church and extended family members and friends are members of the Oakland UM Church in Dempseytown.

.At a press conference, a state police spokesman said Richey was hit with a shot fired from the residence as he and another trooper approached the house. Several hours later, when troopers entered the house, “the suspect and his wife were found dead in an upstairs bedroom, both with at least one gunshot wound. Two rifles and a shotgun were recovered from the house.”

"Tpr. Richey sacrificed his life rather than swerve from the path of duty," said State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. "We will not forget his service or his sacrifice.

Richey was a criminal justice graduate of Edinboro University and the State Police Academy.