Hero State Cop, Afghan War Vet Mourned

A veteran trooper and Medal of Valor recipient who would have turned 41 next week died suddenly yesterday after suffering a medical emergency, State Police Col. Richard McKeon announced.Trooper Patrick E. Ahl, 40, a former state corrections officer, joined the department in 2006.He had been assigned to the Norwell barracks since April after being stationed in Danvers for more than five years, McKeon said.Ahl, a Weymouth native, served a tour in Afghanistan in 2002-03 while with the 772 Military Police Company of the Massachusetts National Guard.