Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Don't hear of these guys getting killed too often, yet when you think about it they deal with armed people all day long.


Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Thursday, November 11, 2010

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: In custody

Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was shot and killed on Schriver Road, near Red Rocks Road, in Freedom Township, Adams County, at approximately 10:45 pm.

Officer Grove was in the area to investigate reports of ongoing night-time shooting and poaching. It is believed that he was making a traffic stop just south of Gettysburg National Military Park when he was fatally shot in the head. The suspect was captured the following morning.

Officer Grove had served as a full time WCO with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for three years and had previously served as a part-time officer with the agency for six years.

Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove | Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania (http://www.odmp.org/officer/20566-wildlife-conservation-officer-david-grove)

Lone conservation cop killed by a poacher

Suspcted cop killer reportedly said to the people with him in his vehicle that he didn't want to back to prison
A Pennsylvania Conservation Officer was fatally shot while investigating reports of ongoing poaching near Fairfield, a rural area south of Gettysburg. At approximately 2230 hours, Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove contacted Adams County 911 dispatchers to report he was conducting a vehicle stop with multiple occupants. Moments later, residents reported shots being fired. Responding officers found Grove fatally wounded near his vehicle.

Officers from numerous state and local agencies spent the overnight hours both investigating the scene and attempting to locate the vehicle Grove had reported stopping. The owner of that vehicle — Christopher Lynn Johnson, 27 — was considered a person of interest although official notices stated that he was to be considered armed and dangerous and in possible need of medical attention.

By 0930 hours — some 11 hours after the shooting — a suspect who was reported as an accomplice was detained in nearby Franklin Township, where reports also indicated the suspect’s vehicle had been located. Evidence from this scene — as well as unconfirmed statements by the accomplice — indicated that WCO Grove was able to return fire and had struck his attacker.

By 1200 hours, Maryland State Police were reporting that they had located Johnson and taken him into custody. These reports also indicate that the gunman was, indeed, in need of medical attention.

Public court records indicated that Christopher Lynn Johnson has a history of burglary convictions and a 2005 plea stemming from charges of fleeing an officer and endangering the welfare of children. Unconfirmed reports are that he said he did not want to go back to prison. If this is true, it is likely he was aware of highly-publicized recent changes to Pennsylvania Game Code penalties, which now allow poachers of big game to be charged with misdemeanors that include possible prison sentences.

Grove, 31, graduated from Penn State University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science, and was a Deputy Conservation Officer for several years prior to being hired as a fulltime officer in 2007. He received his commission as a Wildlife Conservation Officer on March 8, 2008.


Lone conservation cop killed by a poacher (http://www.policeone.com/rural-law-enforcement/articles/2896419-Lone-conservation-cop-killed-by-a-poacher/)

I think I read that the last one shot and killed in the line of duty was in either the teens or 20's. My dad was a DCNR officer for a few years as his full time job when he was working part time ones with PD's

The DA has declared that he will be seeking the death penalty.

This occurred about 30 miles from my house.

My thoughts and prayers sent....RIP. :(

I think I read that the last one shot and killed in the line of duty was in either the teens or 20's. My dad was a DCNR officer for a few years as his full time job when he was working part time ones with PD's

I think I read 1915 was the last time...

The Game Comission is a good gig, it's actually a route I would consider but I plan on getting back into hunting/fishing the way I used to and I don't think it would agree...


The DA has declared that he will be seeking the death penalty.

This occurred about 30 miles from my house.

He wont get it though, I dont even think Poplawski (that killed the three Pittsburgh cops in 4/2009) will get it.

Hmmmmmm.

He is a convicted felon carrying a loaded gun.

He was poaching.

He told his buddy he wasn't going back to jail.

He was partially handcuffed when he shot the WCO.

He shot the officer several times and fled.

He admitted he knew that the officer was a " Game Commission Officer ".

Sounds like a great basis for a death penalty case.

Hmmmmmm.

He is a convicted felon carrying a loaded gun.

He was poaching.

He told his buddy he wasn't going back to jail.

He was partially handcuffed when he shot the WCO.

He shot the officer several times and fled.

He admitted he knew that the officer was a " Game Commission Officer ".

Sounds like a great basis for a death penalty case.

Yes, but this is also Pennsylvania.

I passed through that area not long ago. Nice area.

Hope the bastard gets the chair.