Crime & Safety

PA State Trooper, Stationed In KOP, Dies After COVID Fight

Trooper Dung X. Martinez, 57, most recently assigned to Troop T in King of Prussia died Thursday after battling COVID-19.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — A Pennsylvania State Police trooper who had been stationed at a barracks in Montgomery County has died at the age of 57.

State Police Colonel Robert Evanchick announced the death of Trooper Dung X. Martinez, who passed away after a hospitalization.

Martinez was most recently assigned to Troop T in King of Prussia.

Find out what's happening in Lower Providencewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While Evanchick did not announce the reason for the hospitalization, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association said that Martinez had been exposed to COVID-19 and was fighting the virus at the time of his death.

The Troopers Association said Martinez died in the hospital around 10:18 Thursday morning.

Find out what's happening in Lower Providencewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the course of his career, Martinez had been assigned to Troop K in Media, Delaware County; Troop J in Lancaster County; and Troop M in Trevose, Bucks County.

Martinez had joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 2000 and was a graduate of the 107th cadet class, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

The agency said that Martinez had received the Blooming Grove Service Award for his participation in the manhunt for fugitive Eric Frein back in 2014.

Frein is currently sitting on death row after being convicted of killing one state trooper and wounding another during an ambush attack on a state police barracks in the Poconos Mountains region in the fall of 2014.

"Our department expresses deep sorrow for the sudden loss of a colleague and friend," Colonel Evanchick said in a statement. "We wish Trooper Martinez's family and friends comfort and peace during this difficult time and ask Pennsylvanians to keep them in their thoughts."

Evanchick said Martinez is survived by a wife and two children.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.