Man charged in connection with incident in which Trooper was shot
PBA, 2002-05-16

A Pennsylvania man has been charged in connection with an incident in which a Trooper was shot following a traffic stop on Tuesday night. The Trooper is recovering from his wounds.

The man charged was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Troopers in Kirkwood, Broome County. The driver of the vehicle shot a Trooper during the stop. The Troopers returned fire, killing the driver.

State Police officials have said the Troopers’ use of force was justified.

Wayne P. Rafferty, 19, of Susquehanna, Pa. has been charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony. Rafferty was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Michael Fisher Jr. of Hallstead, Pa. A subsequent investigation showed the vehicle had been stolen from the city of Binghamton.

Fisher was pulled over by Trooper Shawn Dean on Tuesday evening after the Trooper noticed an expired inspection sticker. Dean called for backup and Trooper John Spero responded to the scene to assist with the traffic stop.

The driver and the passenger in the vehicle gave conflicting statements to the Troopers and appeared nervous. Separating the two men to interview them individually, the two Troopers spoke with Rafferty at the rear of the vehicle. Fisher exited the vehicle, yelled at the Troopers and told them to put their hands in the air. Fisher fired a .38-caliber revolver at Trooper Spero, and both Troopers returned fire.

Trooper Spero, who suffered injuries to both hands, was listed in fair condition at a hospital in Johnson City.