Injured trooper released from hospital, headed to rehab after June shooting
Trending
HERSHEY -- For Pennsylvania State Police Lt. James Wagner, it was a hero's discharge and the next step in his recovery on Monday.
More than a month after the 45-year-old Wagner was critically injured and another trooper was killed in a shootout, he was released from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Wagner was loaded into a Penn State Health Life Lion ambulance and transported to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh where he'll continue his recovery at a rehabilitation facility, according to the medical center.
Pennsylvania State Police Tpr. Jacques "Jay" F. Rougeau, 29, was shot and killed in the same incident by Brandon Stine, 38, of Thompsontown. After the shootings, Stine was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with troopers, according to officials.
Funeral services for Rougeau were held in Erie at the Bayfront Convention Center as family and friends, along with hundreds of law enforcement officials, attended.
State troopers lined both sides of the medical center's exit as Wagner was wheeled outside. The troopers all stood and saluted their colleague, who was injured by a gunshot in the line of duty on June 17. Medical center staff also joined in the sendoff.
Wagner was dressed in a black t-shirt and covered in a black and white blanket. He had a protective brace around his neck.
After he was loaded into the ambulance, a procession led by six troopers on motorcycles left the medical center.
Wagner is assigned as the station commander at the Troop G, Bedford Station. He enlisted with the State Police in September 2002, and was assigned to Troop K in Philadelphia after graduating from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.
Wagner was named lieutenant in 2019 after ascending through the ranks and serving with Troops K, G, the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence and the Bureau of Communications and Information Services. Currently, he serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Wagner is married with three children.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Lieutenant Wagner's medical expenses. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/james-wagners-medical-fund. To date, nearly $13,000 has been raised.