GALLIPOLIS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a triple-fatality crash that occurred on Jackson Pike at Mitchell Road in Gallia County at approximately 5:50 a.m. today. Killed in the crash were Sgt. Dale R. Holcomb, 45, and Tpr. Joshua P. Risner, 29, both of the Gallipolis Patrol Post, and motorist, Lori Smith, 32, of Vinton, in the two-vehicle crash.

“This is an extremely tragic event for the entire Highway Patrol. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holcomb and Risner families, as well as with those of Ms. Smith’s family,” Colonel Paul D. McClellan, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent, said.

Sgt. Dale R. Holcomb, a 21-year Patrol veteran, joined the Patrol as a cadet dispatcher assigned to Lancaster in April 1985. He entered the Patrol Academy later that year as a member of the 115th Academy class, and earned his commission in March 1986. His first assignment was at Athens, where he earned post and district trooper of the year honors in 1990. He transferred to Gallipolis with his May 1992 promotion to sergeant.

Sgt. Holcomb earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Ohio University. He is survived by his wife, Connie, and children Tyler, 17, and Trent, 15.

Tpr. Joshua P. Risner, a seven-year Patrol veteran, entered Academy training in June 1999 as a member of the 134th Academy Class. He graduated that December and was assigned to Van Wert. He transferred to Gallipolis in June 2001. He is survived by his wife Bridget, and children Joshua, 7, and Paige, 5. His father, John Risner, is a retired trooper who worked at the Jackson Patrol Post, and is currently working as a motor vehicle inspector for the Patrol.

A total of 37 Ohio State Highway Patrol sworn officers have been killed in the line of duty since the Patrol’s inception in 1933. The most recent before today was Tpr. Frank Vazquez, who was killed in a crash on Interstate 270 on November 6, 2001.

Today’s crash investigation is ongoing.

Sgt. Dale R. Holcomb	Tpr. Joshua P. Risner

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Note to editors: Digital photographs of Sgt. Holcomb and Tpr. Risner are available on the Patrol’s Web site, www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.

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