Heroic Pennsylvania troopers and Good Samaritan doctor honored

It’s only 2 ½ miles up U.S. 11 from Exit 3 of Interstate 81 to the John Allison Public House in Greencastle, but on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, it was a world away from the events of Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

The two Pennsylvania State Police troopers shot in the line of duty and the Good Samaritan doctor who ran to help on that fall evening were the guests of honor at an event organized by Pennsylvania Rep. Chad Reichard and Sen. Doug Mastriano, Republicans who represent Franklin County.

Troopers Lucas Amarose and Thomas Pack and Dr. Vincent Barnhart sat humbly in the packed banquet room as speaker after speaker recognized their bravery and heroism. Loved ones were on hand as they were recognized with citations, awards, medals, other honors and lots of thanks from:

Franklin County District Attorney’s Office

“As district attorney, you never want to get a call like this,” Franklin County District Attorney Ian Brink as he described what happened on Oct. 8. It is a small county and Brink and everyone else in his office knows all the local officers.

The pursuit on Interstate 81 of three suspects in a retail theft at Dick’s Sporting Goods near Chambersburg ended when stop sticks sent their vehicle into the grassy area at the bottom of the offramp at Exit 3 in Antrim Township south of Greencastle.

Two suspects gave up, but the third started firing inside the van, got out and continued to fire at the two troopers. The gunman was shot and killed by a third trooper.

Amarose and Pack were flown to WellSpan York Hospital for treatment of their gunshot wounds.Pack was released the next day, Oct. 9, 2025. He returned to duty Dec. 8, 2025.

Amarose was released Oct. 13, 2025. He returned to duty the last week of January 2026.

WellSpan Health

Barnhart, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, spent 30 years in the U.S. Army, including a one-year tour in Baghdad, and is trained for trauma situations. Now a provider at WellSpan Family Medicine – Greencastle, he was leaving the medical office building just across U.S. 11 when he saw activity in the area and troopers grabbing first aid kits.

He has downplayed his role while commending the troopers for self-treatment of their wounds.

Niki Hinckle, senior vice president of WellSpan’s west region, recalled the day she met Barnhart in 2017 and the James Buchanan High School graduate “talked about coming home to serve our community … all the values he learned in the military he brought home with him.”

She commended the troopers, saying they protected patients and staff in the nearby WellSpan building.

Antrim Township

There’s nothing worse than getting an alert about a shooting in the township, except to hear troopers are involved, according to Antrim Township Administrator Chris Ardinger, who presented citations to Amarose, Pack and Barnhart.

He also shared that an Antrim Township staff member recently was pulled over on her way to work for a faulty brake light and got a warning from Pack.

“At the end of the day, here we are,” he said. “I’m glad a serious incident wasn’t worse.

Borough of Greencastle and Greencastle Police Department

“Everyone has the power for greatness – not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service,” Greencastle Mayor Ben Thomas Jr. quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he presented citations the three.

“Your actions exemplify professionalism,” Thomas said.

Chief Jason Batistig presented challenge coins – symbols of respect and honor from the Greencastle Police Department.

Franklin County Commissioners

Dean Horst, chairman of the Franklin County commissioners, continued with distinguished service awards.

“In a society that is desperate for good heroes – sorry guys – you’re heroes in my eyes … it was a tough way to become that,” Horst said. “At the end the day, it’s a good image for our children to understand that there’s risk and reward and duty, and there’s love of county and of county.”

Pennsylvania Rep. Chad Reichard

Reichard, who presented citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, said heroism is “when you run to danger” and police officers do that every day.

“It’s been a difficult year for our folks in uniform,” Reichard said. He noted the incident in Franklin County came just a few weeks after the line-of-duty deaths of three members of the Northern York Regional Police Department.

Reichard said Barnhart was in the right place at the right time through “divine intervention” and “ignored any thoughts of his own well-being” as he rushed to the scene.

Pennsylvania Sen. Doug Mastriano

Mastriano wrapped up the presentations and quoted John 15:13, that there is no greater love than the willingness to lay down one’s life for a friend.

“You have my greatest respect,” Mastriano said.

“It is my honor and privilege to recognize each of you with the Pennsylvania Medal of Freedom,” Mastriano said before placing the medals around their necks.

Barnhart expressed his gratitude for the recognition, but said, “These guys are the heroes, I’m just associated with them.”