These undated photos released by the Department of Public Safety show Alaska State Trooper Gabriel "Gabe" Rich and Sgt. Patrick
"Scott" Johnson.AP/DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Two Alaska State Troopers were shot and killed Thursday
Two Alaska State Troopers were shot and killed Thursday when they were conducting an investigation in a small, isolated village in the center of the state, officials said.
Sgt. Patrick "Scott" Johnson and trooper Gabriel "Gabe" Rich were killed as they followed up on a report of a firearm being brandished a firearm in Tanana, about 130 miles west of Fairbanks.
Rich had been featured on the National Geographic show "Alaska State Troopers," according to Alaska Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Megan Peters.
One person has been detained, she said in a release. No further details were given.
Gov. Sean Parnell said in a statement that he and his wife, Sandy, "were deeply saddened to learn of the senseless, brutal crime that took the lives of two of Alaska's finest. These fallen heroes answered the call to serve and protect, and made the ultimate sacrifice, while keeping our communities safe."
No roads lead to Tanana and travel there is mainly by aircraft. Residents live a largely subsistence lifestyle.
Ruby Cruger, manager of the Tanakon Bed and Breakfast, told Alaska station KTUU that the troopers were shot while she was heading to her aunt’s house nearby. “So, I was heading up there to go visit my aunt, and so I was just not too far away from there when I seen people running,” Cruger said. “A young kid, a young adult shot the troopers -- that's all I know.”
An Alaska Bureau of Investigation crew was headed to Tanana, Peters said.
The village has a population of about 238, the Associated Press reported. Because of the location of the village, about two miles west of the junction of the Tanana and Yukon rivers, the community was a trading post for Koyukon and Tanana Athabascans long before European contact, according to a state website.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...village-n95391
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/04...tate-troopers/
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