CRAWFORD – Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) had the honor of holding a ceremony to dedicate Bridge Key 13321, located on Geneva Road, over the Conneaut Outlet in Union Township to State Trooper John W. Marin.
“I would like to thank everyone who advocated for the bridge naming through legislation that designated the bridge in Trooper Marin’s honor – especially Greenwood Township Supervisor Kurt Dennis, who worked diligently to make sure Trooper Marin was recognized. I appreciate him reaching out to my office so we could facilitate the bridge dedication, which will make Trooper Marin’s memory everlasting. It has been truly an honor to learn the details of his life and service to others,” Brooks said. “I would also like to thank the Vernon Central Hose Company for flying the American flag.
After graduating from Conneaut Lake High School in 1963, Marin worked at the Meadville Malleable Iron Company before dedicating his career to public safety by joining the Pennsylvania State Police in 1968.
Marin served as a sniper, patrol trooper, public information officer and liaison to the U.S. Marshals Service, but he spent most of his career as a criminal investigator.
Due to the work Marin did as a criminal investigator, he received a Letter of Commendation for the critical role he played in bringing down one of the largest tractor trailer theft rings in the eastern United States. It involved multiple arsons, corrupt state officials, a murder conspiracy, a conspiracy to steal M-16 ammunition from an armory in Indiana and the prosecution of a corrupt sheriff in Georgia by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It culminated in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) prosecution and conviction of the leader of this wide-ranging organization in Pittsburgh.
William V. Conley, who was serving as the first deputy attorney general at the time of the investigation, said, “Throughout my career as a county, state and federal prosecutor, I was fortunate to work with some of the best detectives and federal agents in the nation. Having worked closely with Trooper JW Marin for three years investigating a multifaceted criminal organization, which culminated in a RICO conviction of the ringleader after a two-week trial, I can state without hesitation that not only was Trooper Marin’s integrity unquestioned, but he was among the best criminal investigators with whom I had the privilege of working.”
But even as Trooper Marin worked to take down criminals, he treated everyone with respect and care. State Trooper Gary Knott never worked with Trooper Marin but did benefit from his kindness after Trooper Marin arrested his mother and stepfather as part of the investigation when he was only nine years old and continually checked on him.
“The service Trooper Marin provided to the Commonwealth, and to Crawford County in particular, is immeasurable, and the compassion he showed to one frightened little boy will never be forgotten,” said Trooper Knott.
Many of Marin’s family members and friends attended the ceremony, with some traveling from places as far as California. Area state troopers also joined.
CONTACT: Diane Helbig, 724-588-8911