HARRISBURG (TNS) — Pennsylvania State Police Lt. James Wagner, one of two troopers shot during an extended and violent manhunt in Juniata County last month, was discharged from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Monday.
Medical center officials did not immediately release any additional information about Wagner’s condition or long-term prognosis, but said that for now he will be continuing his recovery at a rehabilitation facility.
Wagner was led out of the medical center on a hospital gurney, receiving applause from medical staff posted inside the doors and a formal salute from troopers from his home station in Bedford and other PSP personnel who flanked him on both sides as he was wheeled to a waiting ambulance.
In videos released by the medical center, Wagner appeared to try to respond to the salute, raising his left hand to his forehead as he passed by.
State Police spokesman Lt. Adam Reed said Wagner will be taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The June 17 incident that left Wagner injured started when Brandon Stine, 38, of Thompsontown, drove to the state police barracks in Juniata County about 11 a.m. and began firing at several parked and unoccupied patrol cars, before driving away from the scene.
Members of Stine’s family have said they had contacted state police the evening before, citing “erratic behavior” that made them believe Stine needed to be involuntarily hospitalized for mental health care.
Reed told PennLive last month that troopers checked multiple residences for Stine that night, but were unable to locate him. They had hoped to make contact with him and, if needed, ensure he received the appropriate care necessary.”
The incident at the Lewistown Barracks set off a manhunt that swept up central Juniata County, and involved PSP troopers from several surrounding stations.
At 12:43 p.m., according to police reports, Stine shot and struck Wagner, as Wagner was driving on Washington Avenue in downtown Mifflintown. The lieutenant, badly wounded, received initial first aid at the scene and was eventually flown to Hershey, where he’s remained until today.
As the manhunt intensified and police got a fresh location on him, Stine fatally shot Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau Jr., 29, during an encounter in rural Walker Township, before Stine himself was killed during a final gun battle with still more responding troopers.
Wagner, 45, is a 21-year member of the state police who was serving as commander of PSP’s Bedford barracks at the time of the shooting. A Naval reservist, he’s also a father of three sons now serving in the Coast Guard, officials have said.
©2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
