For Immediate Release: 9/28/2021
State of New York | Executive Chamber
Kathy Hochul | Governor
Governor Hochul Recognizes 101 Fallen Police Officers Who Gave Their Lives in Service to Their Communities
New York State Police Officers Memorial Event Honors 18 Officers Who Died in the Line of Duty and 83 Who Died from Ground Zero-Related Illnesses
Governor Hochul Directs State Landmarks to be Illuminated Blue on September 28 to Honor the Sacrifice of the Fallen Officers and Recognize the Service of All Police Officers Across the State
Governor Kathy Hochul today honored 101 police officers who gave their lives in service to communities across New York State. The names of the officers, who served with 10 different agencies, were added to the New York State Police Officers Memorial, which was dedicated 30 years ago on the Empire State Plaza in Albany and now includes the names of 1,668 officers who died in the line of duty. More than 300 people attended this afternoon's Remembrance Ceremony, during which Governor Hochul offered keynote remarks.
"We're remembering 101 brave women and men who gave their lives in order to protect and serve the people of New York State, and it's vital that we honor their contributions to our public safety," Governor Hochul said. "These brave officers put their lives in harm's way so the rest of us could stay safe, and we will never forget the selfless contributions they, their families and their loved ones have made."
This year's ceremony honors 10 New York City Police Department officers who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020; 83 officers from the NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, New York State Police, state Department of Environmental Conservation Police, Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, Harrison Police Department and Suffolk County Police Department who died from illnesses resulting from their work at Ground Zero in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center; and eight officers from the state Attorney General's Office, CSX Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, NYPD and PAPD, each of whom died in the line of duty prior to 2019.
Two NYPD officers were shot and killed on duty in 2019 and eight others died last year after being exposed to COVID-19 while working during the height of the pandemic. The names of officers who died of Ground Zero-related illnesses now total 300; that number is in addition to 62 NYPD, PAPD and federal officers killed on the day of the attack.
Governor Hochul also directed that the following landmarks be illuminated blue this evening to honor the sacrifice of the officers whose names are included on the Memorial and recognize the service of all police officers across the state:
- One World Trade Center
- Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
- MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
- The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- The Kosciuszko Bridge
- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge
- The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
- State Education Building
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- The Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex
- The Main Gate and Expo Center at the State Fairgrounds
- Niagara Falls
The state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) staffs the Police Officers Memorial Advisory Committee and coordinates the ceremony, which has occurred annually since the Memorial's dedication in 1991 with the exception of 2020, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner and Advisory Committee Chair Michael C. Green said, "Every day, police officers across our state and across our nation put their lives on the line to protect the public. The officers we are honoring today paid the ultimate price with their lives and we owe it to them and their loved ones to ensure that their bravery and dedication to public service is never forgotten."
The state Office of General Services (OGS) designed the memorial, the renovation and expansion of which was completed in 2019. Names are placed randomly on the wall and without rank, based on a concept submitted by Colleen Dillon Bergman, daughter of Trooper Emerson J. Dillon Jr., who was killed in the line of duty in 1974 after 16 years of service with the New York State Police. A quote from Mrs. Bergman's letter is engraved on the nameplate wall: "It doesn't matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same."
OGS Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "It is an honor to serve as stewards of the New York State Police Officers Memorial, which serves as a solemn reminder of those officer's courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Today marks the first ceremony to be held at the memorial since OGS completed renovations in 2019, and It is our sincere hope that the families and loved ones of those who were lost will find this a comforting place for solitude and reflection."
View the complete Roll of Honor to locate the name of an officer on the Memorial. The following officers were recognized at today's ceremony:
2020 Line of Duty Deaths
Each of these officers served with the NYPD and died as a result of exposure to COVID-19.
- Detective Raymond C. Abear (April 13, 2020)
- Detective Robert A. Cardona (April 15, 2020)
- Detective Cedric Dixon (March 27, 2020)
- Detective Christopher B. McDonnell (May 6, 2020)
- Chief William T. Morris (June 6, 2020)
- Police Officer Eric K. Murray (April 9, 2020)
- Detective Jack V. Polimeni (April 10, 2020)
- Detective Jeffrey A. Scalf (April 13, 2020)
2019 Line of Duty Deaths
Both officers served in the NYPD.
- Detective Brian C. Mulkeen and members of his Anti-Crime Team were assigned in plain clothes to patrol a housing development in the Bronx when they observed a subject. A pursuit followed. Detective Mulkeen caught the individual and a struggled to gain control of the firearm the individual was carrying. Detective Mulkeen was struck by friendly fire during the incident. (September 29, 2019)
- Detective Brian P. Simonsen responded with other officers to the report of a commercial robbery. Detective Simonsen was confronted by a suspect, who had an imitation pistol. Shots were fired and Detective Simonsen was struck by friendly fire. (February 12, 2019)
Ground Zero-Related Illness Deaths
The names of officers who died from illnesses were first added to the Memorial in 2008.
NYPD
- Detective Luis G. Alvarez (June 29, 2019)
- Police Officer Derrick A. Bishop (September 19, 2019)
- Police Officer Scott. R. Blackshaw (May 20, 2018)
- Police Officer James B. Boyle (May 31, 2019)
- Detective Anthony N. Brognano (August 8, 2019)
- Police Officer Audrey P. Capra (December 24, 2018)
- Police Officer Yolanda Cawley (October 22, 2016)
- Detective Christopher E. Cranston (July 20, 2019)
- Deputy Chief Vincent A. DeMarino (December 6, 2019)
- Police Officer Michael O. Diamond (October 9, 2018)
- Police Officer Kenneth X. Domenech (January 19, 2019)
- Sergeant Thomas J. Fennessy (July 19, 2019)
- Police Officer Keith A. Ferrara (May 29, 2019)
- Police Officer John P. Ferrari (June 18, 2018)
- Police Officer Edward J. Fitzgerald (September 19, 2008)
- Sergeant Gary M. Franklin (August 15, 2018)
- Detective Sean P. Franklin (May 22, 2017)
- Police Officer Frank L. Gagliano (May 13, 2020)
- Police Officer Thomas J. Gallagher (March 12, 2018)
- Sergeant Vincent K. Gough (May 12, 2019)
- Police Officer Michael H. Grannis (March 10, 2020)
- Police Officer Anthony R. Hanlon (October 21, 2018)
- Police Officer Raymond G. Harris (August 4, 2019)
- Police Officer Joseph F. Heid (July 20, 2016)
- Detective Nathaniel Holland, Jr. (April 5, 2013)
- Detective Charles J. Humphry (April 10, 2019)
- Sergeant Jeremiah J. Hunt (August 7, 2019)
- Inspector Justin C. Lenz (June 18, 2020)
- Police Officer Paul J. Johnson (July 22, 2018)
- Sergeant Mark Lawler (August 11, 2014)
- Detective Jeffrey A. Lee (July 16, 2018)
- Detective Anthony L. Lombardo (November 17, 2019)
- Detective Scott G. Lovendahl (September 14, 2019)
- Detective Thomas J. Lyons (December 31, 2018)
- Sergeant Mendel A. Martin (August 6, 2003)
- Sergeant Robert P. Masci (June 9, 2018)
- Police Officer Patrick T. McGovern (May 2, 2019)
- Assistant Chief John B. McManus (April 14, 2020)
- Lieutenant Jennifer Meehan (December 17, 2018)
- Police Officer Gregory V. Melita (March 9, 2019)
- Police Officer John Minchilli (November 5, 2019)
- Detective Dennis P. Murphy (October 25, 2019)
- Police Officer Jason H. Offner (July 25, 2017)
- Police Officer Robert Ortiz (July 10, 2018)
- Lieutenant Phillip E. Panzarella (April 25, 2019)
- Detective Joseph M. Paolillo (September 9, 2019)
- Police Officer William Parker (September 27, 2012)
- Detective Philip T. Perry (March 14, 2019)
- Detective Joseph L. Pidoto (October 26, 2018)
- Police Officer Nancy Puca (March 2, 2020)
- Lieutenant Michael F. Raimo (October 10, 2019)
- Detective Andrea R. Rainer (June 25, 2019)
- Police Officer Robert J. Reidy (November 30, 2019)
- Police Officer Lawrence J. Rivera (July 5, 2018)
- Detective Joseph M. Roman (January 28, 2019)
- Lieutenant James E. Ryan (April 29, 2018)
- Detective Thomas Santoro (July 21, 2019)
- Sergeant Barbara J. Sullivan (June 7, 2018)
- Police Officer Manuel Vargas Jr. (November 1, 2018)
- Police Officer Joseph C. Wagner (December 12, 2019)
- Police Officer William T. Walsh (January 11, 2016)
- Police Officer Andrew Waring (June 17, 2019)
- Police Officer Thomas W. Waterman (June 3, 2019)
- Police Officer Wade J. Williams (November 18, 2018)
- Police Officer Robert P. Young (February 4, 2020)
PAPD
- Lieutenant John Brant (July 19, 2018)
- Lieutenant William E. Doubraski (November 23, 2020)
- Sergeant Lawrence A. Guarnieri (November 4, 2014)
- Detective Thomas M. Inman (April 12, 2020)
- Lieutenant Robert Jones (June 15, 2019)
- Police Officer James W. Kennelly (June 17, 2017)
- Police Officer William J. Leahy (June 6, 2019)
- Police Officer Mark J. Meier (July 31, 2017)
- Sergeant Vincent J. Oliva (November 27, 2013)
- Police Officer Paul D. Pallas (March 14, 2011)
- Police Officer Michael E. Teel (March 21, 2019)
New York State Police
- Sergeant/Station Commander Jeffrey M. Cicora (August 10, 2019)
- Trooper Jennifer A. Czarnecki (December 5, 2020)
- Investigator Ryan D. Fortini (January 1, 2020)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police
- Environmental Conservation Officer Stephen L. Raymond (April 17, 2017)
Cayuga County Sheriff's Office
- Undersheriff Stephen B. McLoud (August 29, 2019)
Harrison Town Police Department
- Police Officer Walter L. Mallinson (September 9, 2017)
Suffolk County Police Department
- Police Officer Craig L. Capolino (January 30, 2013)
Historical Line of Duty Deaths
The memorial also recognizes officers who died in service to their communities in prior years, but the agencies for which they worked had not previously submitted applications for their inclusion.
CSX Police Department
- Patrolman William E. Deal was making regular rounds aboard a locomotive in the Sand Bank Lot in the village of Scotia when he saw three men trespassing and attempted to take them into custody. During a struggle with the men, Patrolman Deal was shot in the head and the three suspects fled. A search by more than 100 police officers and sheriffs' deputies from multiple agencies led to the suspects' capture. (October 11, 1933)
- Detective Daniel F. McCrea was pursuing five suspects through a busy Buffalo Creek railyard near Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo, when he was shot point-blank in the head. He died four days later in the hospital. (June 20, 1908)
NYPD
- Patrolman John Thompson was on mounted patrol duty with the former Brooklyn Police Department when he was alerted to a runaway horse pulling a wagon. As the horse and wagon headed in his direction, Patrolman Thompson rode up alongside them in an attempt to stop the horse. An iron shaft bolt from the wagon broke loose and impaled Patrolman Thompson's horse. As a result, Patrolman Thompson was thrown from his horse and struck his head; he died 15 days later. (January 2, 1878)
- Patrolman Thomas A. Herbert was investigating the cause of a motor vehicle collision at the Williamsburg Bridge when he was struck by a vehicle as its driver attempted to move it. Patrolman Herbert suffered a fractured skull and other internal injuries and died at Williamsburg Hospital. (August 30, 1918)
PAPD
- Police Officer John J. Kane was inside the Lincoln Tunnel directing traffic, so maintenance crews could replace fire extinguishers inside of the tunnel, when he was struck by a truck that failed to stop. He was pronounced dead at the scene. (October 26, 1950)
- Sergeant John V. McCabe responded to a traffic jam inside of the Holland Tunnel when he lost his footing on the running board of a truck as its tire blew out. He was thrown into a concrete wall and died from his injuries the next day. (August 22, 1946)
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- Deputy Sheriff Ellwood F. Hanrahan suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling to restrain an individual. (January 8, 1974)
New York State Attorney General's Office
- Special Investigator Thomas H. Neilan was assigned to the office when he was the victim of a robbery and kidnapping as he returned to his home in Queens. He was killed in an exchange of gun fire with his assailants. (November 8, 1980)
Memorial Inclusion Criteria
To be included on the memorial, an individual must have been a police officer as defined in the state's Criminal Procedure Law or employed as a federal law enforcement officer and performed the same or essentially similar duties as defined in that law. Applications for inclusion on the memorial must be made by the agency that employed the fallen officer to DCJS.
In addition to Commissioners Green and Destito, the following individuals serve on the Memorial Advisory Committee: Michael O'Meara, President of the New York State Association of Police Benevolent Associations; Patrick Phelan, Executive Director New York State Association of Chiefs of Police; Peter R. Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York State Sheriffs' Association; Patrick J. Lynch, President of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of the City of New York; Andrew Rakowsky, Chapter President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; and Richard Wells, President of the Police Conference of New York.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services has a variety of responsibilities, including law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state's DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; and administration of the state's Sex Offender Registry.
Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov
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