Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau was born in San Diego, California, and raised in Corry, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Corry Area High School in 2012 and Penn State University in 2015. On September 30, 2017, he married his beloved wife, Chloe.
Trooper Rougeau enlisted with the Pennsylvania State Police on June 29, 2020, as a member of the 160th Cadet Class. Upon graduation, Trooper Rougeau was assigned to Troop J, York 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 had fired shots at parked patrol cars at the Lewistown Station. During a search, the gunman shot and critically wounded Lieutenant James Wagner. Trooper Rougeau responded to assist his brothers and sisters when he was shot and succumbed to his injuries. A short time later, the gunman was located and fatally shot.
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, Pennsylvania.
