PA trooper dead; another wounded in Monroe County

Staff and wire reports

TOBYHANNA, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state trooper is dead and a colleague wounded after a highway shootout with a man who had kidnapped his 9-year-old son.

The 31-year-old suspect,  Daniel Autenrieth, 31, of Palmer, Northampton Countywas, was also killed late Sunday, and the boy was being checked for injuries. Police say he was not shot.

Authorities say 34-year-old trooper Joshua Miller died at a hospital. His 35-year-old colleague Robert Lombardo was in satisfactory condition at Community Medical Center, Scranton.

Miller resided in Pittston Township, and Lombardo resides in Pittston.

State police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said the incident began when police officers in Nazareth, Northampton County, responded to a reported protection from abuse order violation in which a man drove from the scene with his 9-year old son.

The suspect led municipal and state police on a 40 mile pursuit through Northampton and Monroe counties before the fleeing vehicle was brought to a stop in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County. As troopers approached the car, shots were exchanged, with bullets hitting Miller, Lombardo and the suspect, Pawlowski said.

The suspect was killed and his son was taken safely from the car.

Pawlowski said the incident remains under investigation.

Miller graduated from the State Police Academy in April 2003 and was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County. He later transferred to Troop N, Swiftwater. His widow, Angela M. Miller, is employed as a police communications operator at Troop P, Wyoming.

Lombardo graduated from the State Police Academy in April 2004.