Michael Joseph Rao

LANCASTER -- SC State Trooper Michael Joseph Rao, age 33, of 2212 Richmond Hill Drive, Florence, SC, formerly of Lancaster, died Wednesday afternoon, June 12, 2002 at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital from injuries received in the line of duty earlier in the week. He was born September 2, 1968 in Toms River, NJ. Mr. Rao was a graduate of Lancaster High School, earned the Eagle Scout Award in 1985, served in the United States Navy from 1988-1992 aboard the SSBN - Will Rogers and the SSBN - Nevada, where he earned the Enlisted Submarine Breast Insignia (Dolphin) Award. Mr. Rao was a Senior Trooper on the ACE Team - Florence District of the SC Highway Patrol, and attended Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Rao is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jan Bailey Rao of the home; a daughter, Miss Megan Rao of the home; his parents, Mr. Salvatore Joseph Rao and Mrs. Lois Fehrer Rao of Lancaster; a sister, Mrs. Kristine Rao Haimbach and her husband, Duane, of Moore, SC; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Olga Fehrer of East Brunswich, NJ. He was the son-in-law of Charlie and Belle Bailey of Camden, SC and the nephew of Tom and Alice Wyatt of West Columbia, SC, Frederick Fehrer of Palo Alto, CA, Susan Fehrer of Hightstown, NJ, Rose and Walter Gan of Waretown, NJ, and Matthew Rao of Boca Raton, FL.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Rao will be 3:00 pm, Sunday afternoon, June 16, 2002 at First Presbyterian Church by Rev. Chris Wingard and Dr. Gene Rollins. Burial with the SC State Troopers Honor Guard will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.
The Family of Mr. Rao will receive friends 6:00 - 9:00 pm Saturday evening, June 15, 2002 at Hartley Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC and a fund has been established in Rao's name for his wife and daughter. Contributions can be made to the Trooper Mike Rao Fund at South Carolina Branches of First Citizens Bank.
Hartley Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC 803-283-2100 is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Rao.