Vermont Officer Shot Responding to House Fire, Saved by Vest
Investigators said the officer responded with firefighters to the scene after smoke was seen coming from a window at the home. Vermont State Police said he was shot twice, with one of the bullets stopped by his body armor and the other wounding his leg.
Sergeant Paul Locke of the Milton (Vermont) Police Department. Locke was saved by his vest when he was shot responding to a house fire.
Milton PD/Franklin County SO/Facebook
A Milton, Vermont, Police officer was shot Wednesday night (April 23) when he responded to a house fire.
The wounded officer has been identified by officials as Sergeant Paul Locke. He was treated and released at a local hospital, MyNBC5 reports.
The suspect in the shooting, preliminarily identified as 38-year-old Aaron LaRoche, was a resident of the home. Police said he was found dead inside the home of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators said Locke responded alongside firefighters to the scene after smoke was seen coming from a window at the home. Vermont State Police said he was shot twice, with one of the bullets stopped by his body armor and the other wounding one of his legs.
The suspect barricaded himself inside the home following the shooting. Police tried to persuade the suspect to come out before they eventually deployed flashbang devices and used a drone to enter the home. Once inside, they were able to confirm that he was dead.
No police officers on scene fired their weapons during the incident, according to state police. No other injuries were reported.
An autopsy will be confirmed on the body to positively confirm LaRoche's identity.
More Patrol
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →
NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month
Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.
Read More →
National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today
A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police
The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.
Read More →
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.
Read More →
What Should Be in Your IFAK?
What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.
Read More →