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Trooper killed in Montco shooting exercise is identified

A state trooper was killed Tuesday in an accidental shooting during a yearly training exercise at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township, authorities said.

State trooper David Kedra, 26, was killed Tuesday in an accidental shooting during a yearly training exercise at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township, authorities said.
State trooper David Kedra, 26, was killed Tuesday in an accidental shooting during a yearly training exercise at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township, authorities said.Read more

A state trooper was killed Tuesday in an accidental shooting during a yearly training exercise at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township, authorities said.

Trooper David Kedra, 26, of Pottstown, assigned to the Troop K barracks in Skippack, died Tuesday evening after being airlifted to Temple University Hospital. The shooting occurred about 4:45 p.m.

State police and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office were investigating the accident.

Kedra joined the state police in June 2012, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said.

"He died serving the people of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Noonan said in a statement, "and the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police mourn his loss, and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Kedra's body was placed in a hearse and driven from Temple about 9:45 p.m., accompanied by a motorcade of state and Philadelphia police vehicles. A police helicopter hovered overhead.

Investigators remained at the scene in Plymouth Township late into the night, collecting evidence at the indoor shooting range. Around 9 p.m., they began covering the windows as reporters watched outside the gates.

Kedra was the 96th member of the state police to be killed in the line of duty, Noonan said.

The Public Safety Training Campus, on Conshohocken Road, offers law enforcement drills and other training exercises for police, detectives, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.

The campus was locked down Tuesday evening, and officers would not discuss the incident, citing the continuing investigation.

Some officers at the scene were visibly upset.

In April 2013, a Norristown police officer shot himself in one leg during a training session at the shooting range. He was not seriously injured.

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