Investigator James
TOWN OF GARDINER – A crash between a motorcycle and a motor vehicle
Tuesday morning claimed the life of the motorcycle operator, a police
officer in Orange County.
Officer Dustin James, 31, was off-duty when the accident occurred at 11
a.m., the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office reported. The accident
occurred at the intersection of Bruynswick Road and Route 44/55 in the
Town of Gardiner. The two vehicles collided at the intersection, deputies
said. The driver of the motor vehicle, a Toyota Camry, was identified
was Alejandra Rodas-Perez, 19, of Bloomingburg.
He is survived by his wife, Maryellen James.
He was a full-time officer in the Walden Village Police Department and
a part-time officer in the Village of Montgomery Department. He joined
Montgomery in December 2015. He began his career with Walden PD on January
1, 2007 as a part-time dispatcher. On August 17 of that year he was hired
as a part-time police officer and on October 13, 2009, he was appointed
as a full-time patrolman.
“Officer James was an exceptional police officer who excelled at
his job. His many contributions to both departments are too numerous to
list,” said Walden Sgt. Eric Metzger. “He had compassion for
others, a sense of humor and an attention to detail. Officer James was
loved by all who had the pleasure to know him and work with him over the
years. There was nothing that Officer James would not do for his fellow
brothers or sisters.”
James was posthumously promoted to the rank of investigator in the Walden
Police Department.
