In the winter of 1985, a young life in law enforcement was tragically cut short. Trooper Gary William Fisher, a 26-year-old male, met an untimely end on February 3rd in Bessemer, Pennsylvania. He had been a dedicated member of the Pennsylvania State Police for just under five years, serving with the Region V Strike Force. The incident that led to his death unfolded in the snow-covered parking lot of the Crossroads Plaza in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, during an undercover
narcotics operation.
On that fateful day, Trooper Fisher and his partner were attempting to conduct a cocaine buy from two dealers. The situation escalated when the sellers arrived with less than the agreed-upon amount of drugs, prompting the officers to move in and make an arrest. As Trooper Fisher confronted one of the suspects, a struggle ensued. During the altercation, Trooper Fisher's service revolver was dropped.
In the ensuing chaos on the icy ground, the suspect, identified as Timothy Gray, 21, of Fayette County, was initially believed to have gained control of the weapon and shot Trooper Fisher. Gray was subsequently arrested and charged with homicide. However, further investigation into the tragic event revealed a different sequence of events. It was ultimately determined that as Trooper Fisher retrieved his fallen weapon, he slipped on a patch of ice, causing the gun to accidentally discharge.
Following this finding, the homicide charges against Timothy Gray were dropped. The death of Trooper Gary William Fisher was officially deemed a tragic accident that occurred in the line of duty. He was survived by his parents and was laid to rest with full military honors at St. Mary's Cemetery in Patton, Cambria County, mourned by hundreds of fellow police officers.
