A state trooper who came to the aid of a fellow officer and others during a fatal shootout in Hamburg has been recognized during an awards ceremony at the State Police Academy in Hershey.
Trooper Shawn R. Reifsnyder, 36, who is assigned to the Hamburg station, was presented a State Police Commendation Medal for his actions the night of Jan. 8, when he came to the aid of a Hamburg police officer who authorities said was pinned down by 40-year-old gunman Jeremy J. Kreiger while responding to a deadly domestic dispute in the 200 block of Chestnut Street.
"Trooper Reifsnyder acted without hesitation or regard for his own safety, moving quickly and decisively to protect the lives of others," State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said during the Friday ceremony.
Reifsnyder and another trooper were dispatched to Hamburg about 9 p.m. after state police received a call to assist borough police with a domestic dispute involving a gun.
"While the troopers were responding (in separate vehicles), they learned that a Hamburg officer had come under fire," Noonan said.
As Reifsnyder arrived at the scene, the troopers also came under fire from Krieger, who was shooting a military rifle while standing outside the house, investigators said.
Krieger had already fired numerous shots at a borough officer who was pinned down next to his car, police said.
Reifsnyder immediately got out of his patrol car and returned fire with a shotgun, according to state police.
"His actions enabled the Hamburg officer and the shooter's wife (Brenda) to get to safe positions," Noonan said.
As police and Krieger exchanged gunfire, Krieger's mother-in-law, Joan M. Wagner, 62, ran out of the house. She was shot and killed by Krieger, police said.
Krieger then retreated into the house, where he was killed by a shot fired by his father-in-law, Clayton C. Wagner Jr., 65, investigators said. That shooting was ruled self-defense.
Noonan said an investigation determined that when the Hamburg patrolman arrived at the home in response to a police call, he immediately was fired upon by Krieger.
Krieger's wife then ran from the house, and she and the officer tried to take cover while the patrolman called for backup. Krieger fired at least a dozen rounds during the shootout, police said.
Reifsnyder, who lives in Schuylkill Haven, is a 12-year-veteran of the state police. He enlisted in the state police in May 1999.
He declined comment.
Hamburg police did not release the name of the patrolman who came under fire. The name of the other trooper who responded also was not been released.
The deaths of Krieger and Wagner were both ruled homicides.
The Kriegers and their young son lived in the same house with the Wagners.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
