Posted: | January 27, 2015 03:29 PM |
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From: | Representative Adam Harris |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Naming Portion of Rte 22 "The Corporal John S. Valent Memorial Highway"-Former HB2433 |
In the near future I will be introducing legislation to honor the life and service of State Police Corporal John S. Valent by naming a portion of Route 22 in Mifflin County “The Corporal John S. Valent Memorial Highway”. Cpl. Valent was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 9th, 1971. After detaining three unidentified suspects outside of the Jamesway Department Store he placed the individuals in his patrol car to transport them back to the barracks for further questioning. Cpl. Valent was just two blocks from the police station when one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot him twice. The following day two more police officers, Trooper James Bradley and Altoona Police Officer William Carter, were wounded in a shoot-out with one of the suspects. In the exchange the suspect was killed and the other two suspects were later arrested and charged with murder. Cpl. Valent was buried with full military honors at the Juniata Memorial Park Cemetery outside of Lewistown, Pa (Mifflin County). Governor Milton Shapp and Colonel Rocco Urella attended his services as well as local police officers from six different states. Cpl Valent was born on July 22nd, 1922 in Blandburg located in Cambria County. Prior to enlisting with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Cpl Valent served in the US Navy from September 1, 1942 until November 1, 1945 and fought during World War II. He enlisted in the PSP on February 1, 1946 at the age of 23 and was assigned to Troop G, Hollidaysburg. Only 49 years old at the time of his death, Cpl. Valent was survived by his wife, Mrs. Madeline Valent of Lewistown, 3 children, Sharon, Deborah and Bruce, and one grandchild, Christie. Please join me in paying tribute to this fallen hero by naming a portion of Route 22 in Mifflin County in his honor. Former Co-sponsors: READSHAW , THOMAS , CALTAGIRONE , O'NEILL , MICOZZIE , HENNESSEY , McNEILL, SONNEY , TURZAI , MILLARD , DAVIS, DiGIROLAMO , TOEPEL, BROOKS , MIRABITO, RAPP , AUMENT, FARINA, LUCAS, KINSEY, HAHN, LONGIETTI , HICKERNELL , D. COSTA, MAJOR , WATSON , YOUNGBLOOD , REED , GROVE, COX , CARROLL , GOODMAN, COHEN , GRELL , CAUSER , SANKEY, GABLER, SABATINA , MURT , MARSICO , VEREB , FLECK , MAHONEY , ROCK , GINGRICH , DENLINGER and BENNINGHOFF |
Introduced as HB329