WEST BRADFORD TWP., Pa. (WPVI) — A solemn procession of police and first responder vehicles from across Chester County escorted Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor to a West Chester funeral home as the community gathered to honor the trooper killed in the line of duty.
Flashing lights lined the route as O’Connor, draped in an American flag, was carried into DellaVecchia Funeral Home. Fellow troopers stood at attention and saluted as he was brought inside.
O’Connor was killed Sunday night after responding around 8 p.m. to a call about an erratic driver. Police said he stopped the vehicle at Route 10 and Michael Road in West Caln Township and, within seconds of approaching it, the driver – identified by police as 32-year-old Jesse Elks – opened fire, killing O’Connor.
Elks was identified as a substitute bus driver. The Tredyffrin- Easttown School District sent a letter home to parents, stating that Elks often drove a school bus for one of its contractors, a company called “On the Go Kids.” According to the company, there were no complaints against Elks.
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The loss of O’Connor has reverberated throughout the community, including among those who knew him personally.
Jessica Hernandez, a barber at Simply Men’s Barber Shop in West Chester, said O’Connor often spoke about his family.
“Once you got to know him, you could see how much of a great person he was and always talked highly of his family, of his daughter, and his wife,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez and her daughter visited O’Connor’s Pennsylvania State Police barracks in West Bradford to pay their respects. She described him as a hero who put his life on the line.
“You have athletes and actors who are getting paid all this money, but you have people who risk their lives out there every single day just like Tim. He’s the hero,” she said.
Family members gathered around O’Connor’s vehicle, which was covered in flowers, as they mourned his death.
Among those paying tribute were Erica Armstrong and her father, David Lee, who said O’Connor helped save Lee’s life last March. Lee said he was having a heart attack and pulled into a state police barracks just as O’Connor was starting his shift.
“So they threw me in the car and they made sure they got me in the room over at the hospital,” Less said. “I never did get to shake the man’s hand and I wish I could have.”
Armstrong said they returned to the barracks to honor O’Connor and to share a message with his family.
“And his little girl, I just want you to know that your daddy saved my daddy. And we thank you for that, and you’ll forever be a part of my family,” Armstrong said.
Community members are continuing to support the O’Connor family. A meal train organized in their honor has raised $15,000 so far.
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