When State Trooper Kelly had come into the Historical Society several weeks ago she left with a stack of papers pertaining to the family of Cpl McEvoy. We had learned his two children had since died and their obituaries named their children, grandchildren of Cpl. McEvoy.
Since her goal was to get as much information on this State Trooper, and perhaps a good picture of him to place on the Wall of Honor, she wanted to contact one of them . . . and she did! She telephoned his grandson, Terry, and left a message on his answering machine. Before she was able to contact him again he had googled his grandfather’s name and came up with my previous blogs and sent me an e-mail.
We then knew the family was interested and Kelly called him and set up an appointment to go visit him. The date was set for June 9th and she invited me to go along. There was not a question in my mind!
Monday, June 9th:
Cpl McEvoy’s Grandson:
We located his address on a map and headed out to the Northern part of the county to meet Cpl McEvoy’s grandson. This was the next step and Kelly was as excited as I was. When we arrived, he invited us in and we introduced ourselves (although Kelly needed no introduction since she was in uniform!) We sat and explained what we had done and what Kelly wanted to do for his grandfather. He told us that the family had no idea where he had been buried since his grandmother had died shortly after his grandfather, leaving his father an orphan at 9 years of age!
Terry shared some wonderful pictures of his grandfather with us and I am sharing them with you, the reader of this blog, with his permission. The picture at the top of this post shows Cpl McEvoy on his horse. At the time the picture was taken he was the 30th Trooper stationed out of the Pottsville Barracks. How did we know that?
Pennsylvania State Police Historical Society:
The picture above shows the number “30″ and the letter “C” before it. The “C” was the Troop stationed at the Pottsville Barracks and the “30″ was his number that was assigned to him when he reported to the Pottsville Barracks. When and if he left, he’d assume the next available number at the new Barracks and leave “30″ behind for the next person who reported. He would take his horse, however.
. . . and where did I learn all of that? In Hershey at The Pennsylvania State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center! After we left Terry’s home we headed to the State Police Academy and the PSP site listed above. The Museum was well worth the trip, but the information I learned from the woman there was priceless! I also learned that the hat Cpl McEvoy is wearing on the picture below was fashioned in the style of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and hence is called, yes, a “Rough Rider Hat!”
Kelly had a packet of the paperwork, census records, marriage license, obituaries and various newspaper accounts and gave it to the Historical Society, along with the pictures she had just received by his grandson. They are the only pictures the Historical Society has.
The picture of his family was taken in 1914 when his son, Shea, was a baby. Shea is in the lap of his older sister, Martha.
Pennsylvania State Police Academy:
After we left the Historical Society we drove up the driveway to the front of the Offices for the Academy. Outside of the building is a beautiful memorial wall which lists all of the Troopers who died in the line of duty. McEvoy’s name is in the first column.
We took a short tour of the building to see the wall inside that has a short bio and a picture (if available) of each Trooper named on this wall. There is only a silhouette for Cpl. McEvoy presently, but there soon will be one with the pictures that were given to the Archives today!
. . . and the best picture of all! Ben F. McEvoy had another life outside of the Pennsylvania State Police. We all do, so it came as no surprise. What was a surprise was what he did. The picture below shows Ben with his Violin. Yes, he was a Violinist!
What a great picture of a man who’s life was cut so short!
Stay tuned for Chapter 4!
Thanks for doing this. I am his grand daughter Terry is my brother. Thanks again
This is awesome. I’m Ben McEvoy granddaughter. Terry is my brother. Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into having my grandfather being reconized for his time he served with the state police. If there is any service to honor him, I will proudly be there. Thank you again.
Vicky McEvoy
Beautifully done!
what great photos! it’s nice to finally put a face with the story. too bad we didn’t find that tombstone!
Great article I’am married to a grandaughter of Cpl. Mcevoy Patricia Snyder. She was thrilled by the article, her mother was a sister of theCpl.
I am Cpl. McEvoys great-granddaughter, Patrica Constein is my mother…Martha (McEvoy) Snyder my grandmother.
This is such a wonderful article. My mother told me about my great grandfather and my daughter has a picture of him on his horse on her desk.
I am so glad to here that he is receiving this honor and am looking forward to being there when he receives it.
Thank you
Ben was my great-granfather…his daughter Martha was my grandmother. Loosing her father within 4 months of highschool graduation and then her mother 6 months later…leaving her and Uncle Shea orphaned was something my grandmother discussed with me often. I know she missed him everyday…
She had given me all her news clipping of her father’s accident…along with various letters and documents. Because Ben was aften stationed in Mt Gretna during the week and only home on weekends their time together was most precious to her. I know both she and Uncle Shea are looking down with tremendous pride and appreciation. Thank you so much!
I am a great grandson of Cpl. McEvoy, his daughter Martha was my grandmother.
I just attended the gravesite ceremony, complete with Honor guard, Pipers and rifle salute. My Nan and Uncle Shea would be, as we all are, honored, proud and most grateful.
Many thanks to Trooper Kelly and this blogger for their work and diligence in making this tribute possible.
I am Cpl Ben McEvoy granddaughter and I was at the memorial service yesterday to honor him and it was absolutely wonderful. I was so honored and I know that my father Shea and his sister Martha would have been so proud. The whole service was very moving and done so well by the Pa. State Police. I thank you all for this service and especially Trooper Kelly for all her effort that she put into this happening. Thank you and God Bless all of you.
Vicky
It is amazing how, this man-that none of us ever met, has touched each of lives so profoundly. For his family, the loss of his life changed the course of his children’s lives and therefore, the course of our lives.
Yesterday was nothing short of overwhelming. We celebrated the life of a public servant, a tailor, a teacher, a musician, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather …and for many of us, a bit of a legend. Nanny and Uncle Shea could never have imaged such an honor much less comprehended that you can “Google” their daddy!
Kelly, Linda and the men and women of Troop J…we thank you…for your compassion … your determination and you conviction. You’ve allowed us to pay homage to the man we never knew, but who whose short life shaped ours.
My name is Bobbi McEvoy, my late husband Bill McEvoy was Ben’s grandson. We have 2 son’s Bryan & Brad, I enjoyed reading about Ben and now I can pass this information on to the boys and to their children. It is so Important to me that the the future generations know about the past generations.
Although we were not at the service, this information touched our hearts.
Thank you so much for all the hard work.
Bobbi McEvoy
My name is Maria and I am married to Bryan who is Cpl Ben McEvoy’s great grand son. Im sorry we didnt get to be there for the services. It is such an honor to a part of his family even though we’ve never met. I actually see part of Bryan in his looks. thank you to all that put in so much hard work. Hopefully we can soon take the kids to the Academy and they can see their great-great grandfather for what he really was ….. A HERO.
Thank You and GOD BLESS,
Mrs. Maria McEvoy