CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A motorcade of hundreds helped transport Joseph “Joe” Portaro to the Holy Cross Cemetery in Clarksburg Friday afternoon.
First Sgt. Portaro, a Clarksburg native, died unexpectedly Monday morning following a medical emergency during a physical fitness routine at the West Virginia State Police Academy in Institute. He became a Staff Officer there in 2008 and was promoted to deputy director of training.
A funeral service in Morgantown Friday morning honored the life of the 17-year veteran of the State Police.
Portaro, a husband and father of three, enlisted with the State Police in 1998. His first assignment was with the detachment in Kingwood.