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PA: Hunter accused of killing Conservation Officer
November 12, 2010
Wildlife conservation officer was shot after pulling someone over, police
say
Pennsylvania State Police say that the person taken into custody this
morning in relation to the shooting death of 31-year-old Wildlife
Conservation Officer David Grove Thursday night will face charges for
Grove's death.
State police say that 27-year-old Christopher Lynn Johnson was stopped by
Grove in Freedom Township, Adams County, for suspected game law violations
and exchanged gunfire with Grove. Johnson, of Fairfield, was driving his
1999 Chevrolet pickup truck when he was stopped by Grove, and fled with a
passenger after the gunfire exchange, police say.
Johnson was found around 9:40 this morning by troopers from the
Pennsylvania State Police Gettysburg Station. Police say Johnson had an
injury consistent with a gunshot wound and was transported to a medical
facility for treatment. Police say charges are will be filed against Johnson
in Grove's death.
Adams County Coroner Pat Felix said an autopsy was under way to determine
the cause and manner of Grove's death, but she said it appeared Grove had
been shot to death.
Online court records list a Christopher Lynn Johnson with a history of
burglary convictions and a 2005 guilty plea to a charge of fleeing an
officer and endangering the welfare of children.
Grove, who lived in Adams County, graduated from Penn State University in
2004 with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries science, according
to the game commission.
The last game commission officer to be shot and killed in the line of
duty was Joseph McHugh in Weatherly, Carbon County, on Nov. 7, 1915.
Gov. Ed Rendell has ordered state flags at state facilities fly at half
staff in Grove's honor.
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