Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau was born in San Diego, CA before being raised in Corry, Erie County. He graduated from Corry Area High School in 2012 and went on to attend Penn State, graduating in 2015. On September 30, 2017, he married his beloved wife, Chloe.
He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in June of 2020 as a member of the 160th Cadet Class. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop J, York, where he worked until his transfer to Troop G, Lewistown in March 2023.
On Saturday, June 17, 2023, Trooper Rougeau was on a day off when he learned that a gunman fired shots at parked patrol cars at PSP Lewistown before fleeing. During the search for him, the shooter critically wounded Lt. James Wagner before again fleeing. Tpr. Rougeau responded to assist his brothers and sisters when was shot during the search for the gunman, who was shot and killed a short time later.
Trooper Rougeau became the 104th member of the Department to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the line of duty. A funeral service was held on June 27, 2023 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA.