CRANBERRY, Venango Co. — A state trooper responding to a domestic call at a rural home Wednesday was fatally shot as he got out of his cruiser, and a search was on for the gunman.

Trooper Paul G. Richey, a 16-year veteran assigned to the Franklin barracks, and another trooper arrived at the home about 11:30 a.m. when a shot was fired from inside, killing Richey.

"Trooper Richey sacrificed his life rather than swerve from the path of duty," state Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said in a statement. "We will not forget his service or his sacrifice."

Richey, 40, is survived by a wife and two young children.

The shooting happened in a rural, heavily wooded area outside Oil City. Dozens of state police cruisers, many unmarked, quickly converged on the scene and remained there hours later.

Police closed down roads, and a high school, elementary school and Clarion University's Venango campus were put on lockdown.

Richey's death comes about seven months after the agency's last fatal shooting. Trooper Joshua D. Miller, was killed in June during the rescue of a kidnapped child in Monroe County.