Paul was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the son of Clinton "Sam" and Nancy (Garmong) Richey. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1988, and from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and history in 1993. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey on Nov. 10, 1993, and was then assigned to Troop F in Milton. He married Carrie Cornell on August 6, 1994, and they have two children, Connor and Catherine. He transferred to Troop E in Corry on Oct. 19, 1996, and then to the Franklin station on May 17, 1997. He was actively involved with his children and helped with his son's Cub Scout troop and coached his Little League team. He considered his wife and children his universe. He was raised in East Grove United Methodist Church. He was presently an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin, where he helped teach junior church and was a member of the SPRIGS and Gateway Sunday School classes. He was also a member of the Swanson Memorial Lodge #48 Fraternal Order of Police. From a close-knit extended family, he was a devoted husband, father, son and brother. He considered his father his best friend, and a day did not pass that he did not call or visit his parents. He was an avid sportsman and loved spending time hunting and fishing with his family. He cherished his family summer vacations to the beach, trips to Canada and family picnics. A resident of Sandycreek Township, he passed away while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Carrie; his children, Connor and Catherine; his parents, Sam and Nancy Richey; a sister, Melissa (Van) Slack, of Roseville, Ohio; and his nieces, Abigail and Hannah. Also surviving are his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rich and Candy Cornell, of Seneca; his brothers-in-law, Don Cornell and Thomas Cornell and his fiancee, Erica Schratz, all of Oil City; a niece, Hailey Cornell, of Oil City; and nephews, Bryce Cornell, Hunter Cornell and Deluca Schratz. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfathers, Clint Richey and Floyd Findlay; paternal grandmother, Irene Richey Findlay; maternal grandparents, Paul Garmong and Olan Flickner; and maternal grandmother, Bonnie Garmong Flickner.