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Dennis Lee Joos

Death by Force
Case Description
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On a tragic day in Colebrook, New Hampshire, Dennis Lee Joos, a 51-year-old White male, lost his life in a heroic attempt to stop a deadly rampage. The events of August 19, 1997, began to unfold when a local resident, Carl Drega, who had a history of disputes with local officials, was pulled over in a supermarket parking lot. Drega responded with gunfire, killing New Hampshire State Trooper Scott Phillips. Shortly after, Trooper Leslie Lord arrived at the scene and was also shot and killed by Dr ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (6)
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  • Carnegie Hero Fund Commission: Dennis Joos – Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
  • WMUR: Friday marks 25 years since Drega shootings in Colebrook
    •     ...View 4 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Dennis Lee Joos

    Male

    White / Caucasian

    Colebrook

    NH

    1997-08-19

    51

    Dennis

    Lee Joos

    Primary Suspect Deceased

    11/05/2025

    Forum Posts (3)
    I recently came across this tragic case from 1997 and felt compelled to learn more about the people ... ...Read More
    07/03/2024
    Hello everyone,
    I've been thinking about Dennis Lee Joos and the incredibly brave actions he took... ...Read More
    07/29/2023
    I’ve been reading a lot about the tragic events in Colebrook and one detail that stands out to me ... ...Read More
    04/14/2023
    Other Cases from Colebrook, New-hampshire

    Scott Phillips

    Death: Aug 19, 1997
    In the small town of Colebrook, New Hampshire, a routine traffic stop on August 19, 1997, escalated d ...Read More

    Leslie Lord

    Death: Aug 19, 1997
    On a summer day in Colebrook, New Hampshire, the life of 45-year-old Leslie Lord, a Caucasian male a ...Read More