Trooper found dead

EAST FREEDOM - A 17-year veteran of the state police died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday morning in Freedom Township, Blair County's coroner ruled.

State police said Cpl. Courtney F. Light, 42, an investigator with the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards and stationed at the Hollidaysburg barracks, was discovered dead at 6:49 a.m. in his unmarked Crown Victoria cruiser.

The police vehicle was stopped at a traffic light just off the Roaring Spring exit of Interstate 99 at Route 164 and Old Route 220.

''At this time, the investigation is being handled as suspicious; however, to this point, the investigation has not revealed foul play,'' Trooper Richard Brozenich reported in a written statement Tuesday afternoon.

''The Troop G major case team is actively investigating the incident and is handling the shooting as all other shooting investigations,'' Brozenich said.

Coroner Patricia Ross, who ruled Light's death a suicide after an autopsy Tuesday afternoon, said he died instantly from a single gunshot wound to the neck.

She said the reason Light took his own life is a mystery.

''This guy was a good, hardworking trooper,'' Ross said.

Ross said Light wasn't having troubles at home, and investigators are stumped as to what led to the shooting.

''We're not finding any history of any kind or anything to indicate there was an issue,'' Ross said, adding that she planned to speak with Light's family again today.

Ross said a special thanks was due to East Freedom emergency personnel and Freedom Township Police Chief John Reilly for their assistance at what was a difficult scene for investigating troopers.

Light, who joined the state police in 1991, leaves behind a wife and two children.

''He was one of the best police officers I've ever worked with,'' a shocked Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said by phone Tuesday afternoon. ''It's a very sad day for law enforcement and the community of Bedford County. He will be missed. It's really hard to really grasp it at this point.''

Higgins said Light was dedicated and thorough in his investigations.

Higgins recently worked closely with Light during the Joseph Clark murder trials this year. Light was one of the lead investigating officers on the nearly 9-year-old case and one of the key witnesses for the prosecution.

After the second trial resulted in a guilty verdict by an out-of-county jury and a sentence of life in prison, Light said it was a gratifying moment, especially because he had watched victim Holly Notestine's two children grow up.

''The conviction of Joseph Clark was due in large part to the work of Cpl. Light,'' Higgins said. ''He took that case to heart. He was emotionally involved in it.''