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 Drega before he could even exit his vehicle.
Following the initial shootings, Drega stole Trooper Phillips' police cruiser and drove to the office of the local newspaper where part-time judge Vickie Bunnell also had her law office. Bunnell, who had previous run-ins with Drega, was shot in the back and killed as she tried to flee the building and warn others. It was at this moment that Dennis Lee Joos, the editor of the Colebrook News and Sentinel, confronted the gunman.
Working in the same building, Joos ran towards the danger and attempted to disarm Drega. During the struggle for the rifle, Joos was fatally shot by the assailant. His selfless act was a testament to his courage in the face of an active shooter. After killing Joos, Drega fled the scene, leading to a manhunt that crossed state lines into Vermont.
The suspect, Carl Drega, wounded four more law enforcement officers before he was ultimately killed in a shootout with police in Bloomfield, Vermont, thus ending his violent spree. The small town of Colebrook was left to mourn the loss of four community members, including the brave newspaper editor who died trying to save another.
