Flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Corporal O’Connor.
WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, PA – 40-year-old Corporal Timothy O’Connor, Jr., had responded to a report of an erratic driver in the area of Walnut Road and Compass Road in Honey Brook Township, Chester County. Corporal O’Connor located the vehicle within minutes and initiated a traffic stop at approximately 8:24 PM near the intersection of Route 10 and Michael Road in West Caln Township, Chester County. As Corporal O’Connor approached the vehicle, the driver immediately opened fire from inside the vehicle, striking the 15-year Pennsylvania State Police veteran from the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The gunman then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance, and fatally shot himself with a semi-automatic pistol. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Corporal O’Connor was transported to Paoli Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The gunman has been identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, age 32, of Honey Brook, Chester County.
PSP Troop J Major Case Team and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office are investigating this incident.
Corporal O’Connor was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville Station, and enlisted in the PSP in September 2010 as a member of the 131st cadet class. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Troop J, Avondale, and in October 2016, he joined their Criminal Investigation Unit. In March 2022, he transferred to Troop J, Embreeville, and in July 2022, was promoted to corporal and continued serving at Troop J, Embreeville. Corporal O’Connor became the 105th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the line of duty. Corporal O’Connor leaves behind his wife and daughter.
