CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A beloved member of the West Virginia State Police is being remembered by those who worked with him.
Sgt. John Syner, 52, was commander of the State Police Detachment in Marlinton and was killed in an off duty accident on his property in Fayette County.
Friends tell MetroNews Syner was cutting trees on his property Saturday when one of them fell awkwardly and struck him. According to friends, the impact knocked Syner into a nearby pond and caused fatal injuries. Syner was an experienced tree cutter.
“John was loved by so many in the community and worked diligently to serve the community in any way he could. John was a loving husband, father and pops.” read a statement from the West Virginia State Police about his death.
Syner was active in his local community as a youth league sports coach and with various school and non-profit charitable work. He was awarded the State Police Superintendent’s Award in 2019, one of the highest honors an individual trooper can be awarded as a member of the organization.