Authorities say it happened at 2:25 Friday afternoon in the 3000 block of Stoney Creek Road in East Norriton.
Exactly how it happened is unclear but a gun, not a service weapon, apparently being handled by the trooper accidentally discharged, striking his wife JoAnna Miller.
She was rushed to Mercy Suburban Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
"She was shot and killed," said First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele. "She was pregnant at the time. The baby did not survive."
"There are two children that were in the residence, and they are being taken care of by family members," said Steele.
The trooper is a seven year veteran of state police stationed at the Skippack barracks. His late wife used to be a civilian employee of state police.
"Good people, I mean they kept quiet, kept to themselves. I mean when we had a tree blow down in a storm, they came up with a chainsaw and helped us cut the tree up," said neighbor John Silks.
"I can't imagine. It is unbelievable, especially here. I am just in shock," said Erin Gawlick.
Detectives from Montgomery County are working with East Norriton police on the investigation and could be seen coming in and out of the house throughout the afternoon and evening.
"There is never any trouble in this neighborhood. They were cops. They seemed like nice people," said Mark Lewis.
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