Honor Roll Of The New York State Police

Investigator Joseph T. Aversa
March 5, 1990

Died from a gunshot wound to his head, during a narcotics buy-bust operation that erupted into a gunfight at the Jacob Riis housing project on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Investigator Aversa was part of the backup unit which became engaged in the gunfight when the undercover operation, two weeks in duration, culminated in shots that began in a corridor of one housing unit and spilled onto the sidewalk.

Investigator Ricky J. Parisian
May 20, 1994

Died of a shotgun wound to his chest, while attempting to single handedly stop an armed robbery in the Great American Supermarket, in the Town of Oneonta. Investigator Parisian while shopping with his wife observed a masked man attempting to rob the store. Parisian's first action was to send his wife to the rear of the store, with instructions to tell employees and customers to escape through the rear of the building. Once the other store occupants were safe, Parisian, alone and unarmed charged the shotgun wielding robber. They struggled, then fell through a plate glass window at the front of the store. The gunman fired a single blast from a sawed-off .410 gauge shotgun into Parisian's chest. Mortally wounded, Parisian continued to grapple with the robber until the investigator collapsed from the loss of blood. The gunman fled the store on foot with proceeds from the robbery, leaving behind the shotgun and several articles of clothing. Parisian died at the scene. The ownership of the gun was traced to the robbers father, and within 48 hours of Parisian's death the suspect Colin M. Hyde was arrested in Denver Colorado, where he had flown to avoid apprehension.

Trooper Nathaniel Burroughs
February 14, 1997

Died while investigating a 1 car motor vehicle accident. Trooper Burroughs was standing in front of the vehicle that had been involved in the accident, when a tractor trailer lost control and struck the vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to strike and kill Trooper Burroughs.

Trooper Fabio Buttitta
August 24, 1997

Trooper Fabio Buttitta, 31, was killed on August 24, 1997, on Bay Shore Road, Town of Babylon. He had just completed his tour of duty and was on his way home when his vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle operated by an impaired driver.

Trooper Truscott M. Kelly
May 31, 2000

Died when the marked patrol vehicle that he was operating was struck broad side by a tractor trailer in the Town of Hurley. Also killed at this time was Trooper Kenneth A. Poormon, a passenger in Kelly's vehicle.

Trooper Lawrence P. Gleason
February 11, 2002

Trooper Lawrence P. Gleason was shot to death at the scene of a domestic dispute at a residence in the town of Crown Point, Essex County. Trooper Gleason had responded to the residence upon a complaint by a 36-year-old woman, that her ex-boyfriend, had menaced her with a knife. The boyfriend had departed the residence before Trooper Gleason's arrival, but returned and shot Trooper Gleason in the back with a 30-caliber rifle. The boyfriend then shot and killed the complainant before taking his own life.

Trooper Robert W. Ambrose
December 19, 2002

Trooper Robert W. Ambrose was in his Troop car parked on the shoulder of I-87, investigating a 2 car motor vehicle accident, when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed struck another vehicle, careened off of that car and struck the Troop car from behind. This caused a chain reaction accident with the Troop car bursting into flames. Attempts to free Trooper Ambrose from the burning vehicle were futile.

The New York State Police are now recruiting.
If you are interested in a career with the New York State Police check out the official New York State Police Home Page.

All information obtained from
"The History of the New York State Police."
If you have any comments