Road closures around Downingtown for funeral of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy O'Connor Jr.
Funeral services conclude Wednesday for Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy O'Connor, who died in the line of duty after being shot during a traffic stop in Chester County earlier this month.
After a public viewing on Tuesday, O'Connor's funeral is being held at St. Joseph's Parish in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
Wednesday's funeral, which is closed to the public, began at 11 a.m.
The following roads will be closed for O'Connor's funeral service and procession:
- Manor Avenue (SR 322) between Rock Raymond Road and East Pennsylvania Avenue, 6 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m.
- All ramps from SR 30 bypass to Manor Avenue (SR 322), starting at approximately 11 a.m.
- Manor Road (SR 82) between Horseshoe Pike & Culbertson Run Road, starting at approximately 1 p.m.
- Rolling closures of Horseshoe Pike (SR 322) between Lancaster Avenue and Manor Road (SR 82) beginning at approximately 1 p.m.
O'Connor, 40, died on Sunday, March 8, after he pulled over an erratic driver in West Caln Township. Pennsylvania State Police officials said O'Connor was shot by the driver as he approached the car.
The gunman, identified as 32-year-old Jesse Nathan Elks, of Honey Brook, then got out of the vehicle and fatally shot himself with a semi-automatic pistol, police said.
"We have lost a dear member of our family, a hero and member of the Pennsylvania State Police," said Lt. Col. George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Our hearts remain with Cpl. O'Connor's wife, daughter, and family. We ask for everyone's continued prayers to help them during this devastating time."
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags lowered to half-staff across the commonwealth until O'Connor's funeral on March 18.
"Corporal Tim O'Connor dedicated his life to keeping his fellow Pennsylvanians safe. When folks ran away from danger, he ran towards it," Shapiro wrote in a social media post Wednesday. "The men and women of the @PAStatePolice are the very best of us, and we will never be able to repay the debt we owe Corporal O'Connor for his 15 years of service and sacrifice to our Commonwealth."
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. CBS News Philadelphia also has a list of mental health resources.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
