Due to the nature of police work
these pages are forever under construction.

Trooper Robert J. Gaylo
May 13, 1980

Died on Melrose Road, Town of Owasco, Cayuga County, after his troop car veered across the center line on the wet road after skidding broadside, and collided with a pickup truck.

Trooper James A. Kelly, Jr.
August 8, 1980

Died from injuries incurred in an auto accident on Route 9W at Montgomery Road, Town of Highland, Orange County. While a passenger in a troop car, a DWI driver traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line, struck the troop car in the right front, continued airborne and struck a parked unoccupied pickup truck.

Investigator Robert L. VanHall, Jr.
December 5, 1980

Died from gunshot wounds inflicted while attempting a narcotics arrest of two brothers on East Market Street in the City of Corning, Steuben County. The troop vehicle pulled alongside the suspect vehicle and was fired upon with a double barreled shotgun.

Investigator Thomas L. Buck
March 19, 1981

Died from serum hepatitis contracted on November 29, 1971 on Interstate 90, Town of Hanover, Chautauqua County, when he punctured his finger with an infected hypodermic needle as a result of an arrest for possession of the same.

Trooper Thomas L. Pryme
July 24, 1982

Died of internal injuries on Route 56, in the Town of Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, when a drunk driver hit him head-on in his lane.

Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak
August 30, 1982

Died from gunshot wounds to his chest from a 30-30 rifle, on Route 62, Town of Dayton, Cattaraugus County, at the residence of James Swan (former mental patient and school mate known to Kubasiak). Trooper Kubasiak went to the residence with other New York State police members. Swan opened the kitchen door for Kubasiak, let him in and shot him three times. Investigator Timothy Howard then entered the residence through a bedroom window, unaware that Kubasiak had been shot. Howard heard Swan threaten to shoot K-9 Donivan and ordered him to drop the rifle. Swan responded by pointing the weapon at Howard, at which time Howard shot Swan in the chest and left him for dead. Howard then went to Kubasiak's aid, and advised the other officers to call for an ambulance. Zone Sergeant Berger entered the residence to check on Swan's condition. Swan had crawled into a bedroom and closed the door. When Berger kicked the door open he was confronted by Swan with a shotgun pointed at him. Swan slammed the door shut, Berger then called for assistance. Later Swan opened the bedroom door and surrendered to troopers.

Trooper Brian N. Rovnak
February 2, 1983

Died of multiple injuries from an auto accident on Interstate 84, Town of East Fishkill, Dutchess County, when his car ran off the road, flipped, struck a tree, and ejected him.

Zone Sergeant David M. Corbine
May 23, 1983

Died after he suffered cardiac arrest while operating his troop car on the New York State Thruway near exit 36, Town of Salina, Onondaga County.

Trooper Paul Ashburn
July 26, 1983

Died from multiple injuries suffered on the New York State Thruway, in the Town of Coeymans, Albany County, when a tractor-trailer struck the vehicle that Trooper Ashburn had stopped. The Tractor-trailer continued on struck Ashburn, and threw him 45 feet.

Investigator Richard B. Snyder
September 20, 1984

Died at the residence of Jeanne Sanchi, Cornfield Road, Town of Mamakating, Sullivan County, after being shot there by her ex-husband Edward M. Esposito. On September 21, 1984 Esposito with the assistance of an employee removed Investigator Snyder's body from the Sanchi residence, placing it in the trunk of Snyder's assigned police car. Esposito then drove the car to New Jersey. During the investigation into Investigator Snyder's disappearance Esposito hung himself from a tree at his brother's residence in Hopewell New Jersey on September 23, 1984. On October 1, 1984 divers from the New York State police Troop F Scuba Unit, and NYPD Harbor Unit recovered a Lincoln-Continental with the body of a previous homicide victim of Esposito. Snyder was found in the trunk of his troop car on October 2, 1984, forty feet from the shore in 25 feet of water at Hell's Gate, Wards Island, New York city, Manhattan.

Trooper Thomas F. Hudson
November 26, 1985

Died on interstate 87, Town of Malta, Saratoga County, when a tractor trailer smashed into the rear of his troop car. The impact forced it under the rear of the tractor trailer that he was assisting.

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All information obtained from
"The History of the New York State Police."
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