Arthur L. Hershey was born May 22, 1947, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Wallace A. Hershey, Sr. Hershey attended Central Fulton High School, McConnellsburg.
He served with the United States Army Combat Engineers from June 1964 to May 1967 as a squad leader and was discharged as a Sergeant E-5. On April 22, 1971, at the age of 23, Hershey enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from McConnellsburg. He graduated from the Academy on July 14, 1971, and was assigned to Troop F, Montoursville, where he served at the Montoursville, Mansfield and Lock Haven Stations.
Upon promotion to Corporal in 1983, he was transferred to Troop T, Highspire, where he served until he was transferred to Troop G, McConnellsburg, in 1984. Upon promotion to Sergeant in 1986, he was assigned to Troop J, Lancaster. In 1986, he transferred to Troop G, where he was Officer in Charge of the Bedford Station before being assigned as the Troop’s Patrol Section Supervisor in Hollidaysburg. He subsequently returned to the Bedford Station as the Crime Section Supervisor.
Sergeant Hershey was en route to Harrisburg via the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Sunday, January 3, 1999. He was to train with the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Unit which was scheduled to perform in opening ceremonies at the State Farm Show. While stopped at the scene of an accident in Dublin Township, Fulton County, he was conversing with Trooper David P. Thomas, who was investigating the accident. The road surface at this point, milepost 180.2, eastbound lane, was icy and slush covered. The time was 1:02 p.m. While exchanging information with Trooper Thomas, they noticed a green pickup truck sliding out of control and heading for them. Trooper Thomas jumped free of the oncoming truck which then rolled over, striking Sergeant Hershey. He was killed instantly. The driver of the pickup, Linda C. Reppert, 33, of Allentown, escaped serious injury.
Services were held for Sergeant Hershey on January 6, 1999, at the Louis Geisel Funeral Home in Bedford. He was buried with full military honors at the Friends Cove United Church of Christ Cemetery in Colerain Township, Bedford County. In attendance were hundreds of fellow Troopers and law enforcement officers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Detail and representatives of the Tactical Mounted Unit were on hand to honor their comrade. At the opening of the 83rd Annual Pennsylvania State Farm Show, Colonel Paul J. Evanko, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, dedicated the performance of the 16-member Mounted Unit to Sergeant Arthur L. Hershey.
Sergeant Hershey is survived by his wife, Bettie, and two sons, Brian, at home, and Trooper Bradley Hershey, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop G, Bedford.
At 51 years of age, Sergeant Hershey had completed 27 years and 8 months of service with the Pennsylvania State Police. He was the 86th Trooper killed in the line of duty. He had the longest service record, and was the oldest member of the Department killed in the line of duty.