Senate committee approves measure honoring fallen Marine from York County

HARRISBURG – The Senate Transportation Committee voted today to name a York County bridge in honor of a local Marine who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2011.

Senate Bill 441, sponsored by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), would designate the bridge carrying State Route 2087 over the East Branch Codorus Creek in York County as the Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle and Tosca Memorial Bridge.

Sgt. Wrinkle served as a Special Operations Multi-Purpose K9 Handler for the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Company G and Marine Special Operations Team 8221 in Herat Province in Afghanistan. He was deployed to Afghanistan on July 1, 2011, and passed away while trying to rescue his service dog, Tosca, from a barracks fire later that month on July 31.

Sgt. Wrinkle was raised in York County and graduated from Dallastown High School in 2001.

“Sergeant Wrinkle refused to leave a trusted companion behind, displaying a level of loyalty, courage and dedication that is hard for most of us to even imagine,” Phillips-Hill said. “We can never adequately repay the debt that is owed to Chris and his wonderful family, but we can ensure the memory of his uncommon bravery is preserved for every generation to come.”

Senate Bill 441 was approved by the committee and sent to the full Senate for consideration.