CRYSTAL RUN – Since the creation of State Police Troop F, 13 officers have died in the line of duty and on Friday, they were remembered at the annual Memorial Day weekend ceremony at headquarters in the Town of Wallkill.
Troop Commander Major Pierce Gallagher noted that in the last year, no members of the troop lost their lives, but he said active members should take note of the sacrifices of those who have died.
“I believe that if all of our current troopers read the stories of our deceased members and take the time to understand the sacrifices they made, it will help make them safer and better troopers this year and for many years to come,” he told those gathered outside headquarters. “Every trooper here understands that we can honor and remember our fallen troopers best by living up to their highest standards and they conduct themselves each day with professionalism, courage and integrity, every one of us can rest easier.”
The name of each fallen member was read with a bell rung 13 times. Laying of wreathes and playing of Taps concluded the ceremony.
Those troopers in Troop F who died in the line of duty are:
- John Cotter died on November 21, 1970 at age 33
- William McDonagh died on December 14, 1975 at age24
- James Kelly, Jr. died on august 8, 1980 at age 31
- Richard Snyder died on September 20, 1984 at age 37
- Joseph Aversa died on March 5, 1990 at age 31
- Nathaniel Burroughs died on February 14, 1997 at age 30
- Truscott Kelly died on May 31, 2000 at age 49
- Kenneth Poormon died on May 31, 2000 at age 23
- Jeffry Edelson died on November 23, 2003 at age 34
- John McKenna IV died on August 16, 2006 at age 30
- David Brinkerhoff died on April 25, 2007 at age 29
- David Lane died on November 4, 2009 at age 30
- Winston Martindale, Jr. died on July 24, 2013 at age 40
