Injured trooper recognized for service
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski<br> Pennsylvania State Police Deputy Commissioner of Operations Lt. Col. George Bivens (left) presents Lt. James Wagner the Lewistown Service Award during a ceremony at Troop G Headquarters in Hollidaysburg on Wednesday morning.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski<br> Pennsylvania State Police Lt. James Wagner was presented the Lewistown Service Award during a ceremony at Troop G Headquarters in Hollidaysburg on Wednesday morning.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski<br> Pennsylvania State Police Deputy Commissioner of Operations Lt. Col. George Bivens (left) presents Lt. James Wagner the Lewistown Service Award during a ceremony at Troop G Headquarters in Hollidaysburg on Wednesday morning.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski<br> Pennsylvania State Police Lt. James Wagner was presented the Lewistown Service Award during a ceremony at Troop G Headquarters in Hollidaysburg on Wednesday morning.
Trending
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- State Police Lt. James A. Wagner has fought through a lot of adversity since June 17, when he was critically injured in a shooting in Mifflintown.
On Wednesday, Wagner was recognized at the Hollidaysburg state police barracks and was the first to receive the Lewistown Service Award, created to recognize the efforts of those involved in the incident in which Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr., 29, was killed and Wagner was seriously wounded in separate encounters with the same shooter.
Wagner was the Troop G Bedford station commander when he responded to a shooting outside the Lewistown state police station. There, Brandon Stine, 38, of Thompsontown, showed up about 11 a.m. armed with a long rifle and fired shots at patrol vehicles in the parking lot. He then fled the scene.
Wagner took part in the search for Stine, who was located on the 400 block of Washington Avenue. Stine fired at Wagner, who was inside his patrol car. He was transported to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital then flown to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for his injuries.
Stine was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers.
Other officers involved in the incident will be recognized with significant incident awards at a later time, according to Lt. Col. George Bivens, state police deputy commissioner of operations.
"You did one heck of a job that day," Bivens told Wagner as he handed him the ribbon. "You were a true leader. You have been, and we're so proud to still have you as a part of the Pennsylvania State Police."
Wagner addressed his peers and other station commanders at the Troop G station during the private award ceremony. He said the support he has received from the community and members of the Pennsylvania State Police is what gives him the determination to "continue doing the grind" and move forward.
"I just want to let you guys know what we do matters," he said. "Our job is more than just putting on a uniform and going out there. I love what we stand for and what PSP does each and every day out in the community."
Bivens called Wagner an "inspiration" and said he watched him make a strong recovery over the last 10 months.
"(He) still has a lot of challenges in front of him but it's an amazing recovery to see the shape that he's in right now," Bivens said, adding Wagner has been "positive and upbeat" since the shooting.
"He has never allowed himself to pity himself or to be upset or bitter about the whole thing."
In May, Rougeau will be added to the national law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C., Bivens said.
"We'll have a significant contingent from the Pennsylvania State Police going there accompanying his family. He'll be added to the wall there," Bivens said.