Sperr Memorial Park
Brass plaques are mounted on benches around the park in the memory of NYS Troopers and local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty since March 1, 2006. See below for all those who are honored and remembered here at the park.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER CRAIG J. TODESCHINI E.O.W. 4/23/06
Trooper Todeschini was pursuing a motorcycle on Route 91 that was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. He had started pursuing the motorcycle after it passed him at an estimated 100 mph. He turned his vehicle around and chased the suspect for approximately two miles before his Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver of the motorcycle was eventually apprehended and charged with aggravated manslaughter and aggravated negligent homicide. Prior to this incident it was not illegal to flee from the police in New York State. On November 1, 2006 the "Trooper Craig Todeschini Bill" was passed into law, creating the crime of Fleeing from a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle.
Trooper Todeschini had served with the New York State Police for 3.5 years. He is survived by his wife and son.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER JOSEPH A. LONGOBARDO E.O.W. 9/3/06
Trooper Joseph Longobardo succumbed to a gunshot wound inflicted two days earlier when he and another trooper were ambushed while searching for an escaped convict in Chautauqua County. Earlier, the escapee had shot and wounded a New York State trooper on June 10, 2006, during a traffic stop. The escapee was the focus of a manhunt since the initial shooting and had been receiving assistance from friends and family in an effort to evade arrest. Trooper Longobardo and his fellow trooper were conducting surveillance on the home of a relative of the escapee when the convict shot them both with a high powered rifle. The wounded trooper was shot in the back, with the bullet penetrating his vest and exiting from his abdomen. Trooper Longobardo suffered a severed artery when he was shot in the leg. Both troopers were transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. Trooper Longobardo underwent a leg amputation surgery in an attempt to save his life. However, he succumbed to the wound the day following the surgery. The suspect was apprehended in Pennsylvania on September 8, 2006, one day after being added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. On November 29th, 2006, he plead guilty to the murder of Trooper Longobardo. He was sentenced to life in prison on December 19, 2006.
Trooper Longobardo was a member of the Air National Guard, served as a member of the United States Marine Corps, and had served with the New York State Police for 8 years. He is survived by his wife and son.
Click here for more information on Joe's life and the Joseph Longobardo Memorial run/walk.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER JOHN J. McKENNA IV E.O.W. 8/16/06
In 1998, John earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Binghamton University. In 1998, he accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant after his successful completion of Officer’s Candidate School. Upon completion of The Basic School he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Air Wing where he served with distinction to include tours in Uzbekistan/Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. John then went on to serve as part of the initial invasion force during Operation Iraqi Freedom and subsequently earned a Naval Meritorious Service Award. Captain McKenna left active duty in 2003 to pursue selfless devotion to public service and enter into a career of with the New York State Police. He graduated from the New York State Police Academy on August 8, 2005 and was stationed in Saratoga and Clifton Park with Troop G before receiving permanent assignment to the Kingston barracks in Troop F.
In life, John was a vibrant, thoughtful, energetic young man who loved his family and his country. A voracious reader and student of history, professionally he was the consummate Marine officer always leading by example, he continued with that same mindset when he donned the Gray Uniform of a New York State Trooper. In his off duty time, John loved to read, collect guns, and unique hats, and spend time with his family. His passing has left many with a great sense of loss. He is a true American Patriot, son, and brother who will always be loved and never forgotten.
John is survived by his father and mother, John and Karen, his sister, Allyson and her husband, David Zehrfuhs, and his niece and goddaughter, Michaela, his grandfather, George Chlebik, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Click here for more information on John's life and the John McKenna Memorial 5K.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER DAVID C. BRINKERHOFF E.O.W. 4/25/07
Trooper David Brinkerhoff was accidentally shot and killed by another officer during an intense gun battle while taking part in a manhunt for an assailant who had shot and wounded a New York State Trooper the previous day.
On April 24, 2007, a New York State Trooper stopped a stolen vehicle at the Sunoco Country Store located on Main Street in Margaretville. As he approached the vehicle, the suspect opened fire, striking the trooper on his vest, and then fleeing into the woods. Members of the New York State Police, Delaware County Sheriff's Department and several other surrounding agencies mobilized to search for the suspect.
The following day, Trooper Brinkerhoff and six members of the Mobile Response Team were searching for the suspect in a home on Cemetery Road in Margaretville after a burglar alarm signal was received by local police. Trooper Brinkerhoff and another Trooper entered a room on the second floor of the home when the suspect opened fire, striking Trooper Brinkerhoff in the chest. That round was deflected by his bullet resistant vest. An intense, close quarters, gun battle ensued between the suspect and four Troopers. During that exchange of gunfire, one Trooper was wounded by the suspect and Trooper Brinkerhoff was accidentally shot and killed by another Trooper. The remaining Troopers pulled their fellow officers to safety and withdrew from the house.
Police surrounded the home and four hour standoff, police again approached the home, firing tear gas. As they gained entry, the house began to burn, and within minuets was fully engulfed in flames. Police were unable to gain entry into the home due to the fire. After extinguishing the fire, officers found that the suspect has been fatally wounded in the earlier gun battle and had died.
Trooper Brinkerhoff had served with the New York State Police for 8 1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. He was assigned to the Mobile Response Team. Click here for more information on David and the Brink 5K.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER JOSE A. ROSADO E.O.W. 1/24/07
Trooper Jose Rosado was killed in an automobile accident on Route 104 in Suffolk County, New York.
His patrol SUV struck a patch of black ice, causing it to cross into oncoming traffic. His vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side, killing him instantly.
Trooper Rosado had served with the New York State Police for 18 years. He is survived by his son and daughter. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Trooper Rosado please click here.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER SHAWN W. SNOW E.O.W. 8/3/08
Trooper Shawn Snow was electrocuted while assisting a driver change a flat tire on an antique fire truck in Ogdensburg.
As Trooper Snow and the truck's driver worked on the tire, the fire truck's ladder came in contact with overhead power lines. Trooper Snow and the truck driver were both killed instantly.
Trooper Snow had served with the New York State Police for 19 years and was assigned to Troop B. He is survived by his wife and children. Click here for more information on Shawn's life and the Shawn W. Snow Memorial Ride.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER DAVID J. LANE E.O.W. 11/4/09
Trooper David Lane was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol in the town of Catskill.
He was traveling north on State Route 32 when he attempted to pass another northbound vehicle. The vehicles made contact and Trooper Lane's vehicle drove off the roadway and struck a telephone pole, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Trooper Lane had served with the New York State Police for four years and was assigned to the Catskill Station. He had previously served with the United States Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here to learn more on David's life and the Trooper David J. Lane Memorial Fund and golf tournament.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER JILL E. MATTICE E.O.W. 1/20/10
Trooper Jill Mattice was killed when her patrol car collided with a tractor trailer on Route 23, in the town of Morris, Otsego County. She had just left the school where she was assigned as a school resource officer when the crash occurred.
Trooper Mattice had served with the New York State Police for 6.5 years.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER KEVIN P. DOBSON E.O.W. 3/26/11
Trooper Kevin Dobson was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle while making a traffic stop on I-290 in Erie County at approximately 7:30 am.
He was transported to Kenmore Mercy Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Trooper Dobson had served with the New York State Police for 14 years. He is survived by his three children and his girlfriend.
IN MEMORY OF SHERIFF JEFFREY T. ALEXANDER E.O.W. 6/12/11
Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Alexander was killed when his patrol car collided with another vehicle.
He was on patrol and traveling northwest on State Route 427 when he lost control of his patrol car and struck an oncoming car as he went around a curve in the road.
Deputy Alexander had served with the Chemung County Sheriff's Department for five years. He is survived by his parents and fiancée. Click here for more information about Jeff.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER AMANDA ANNA E.O.W. 5/26/12
Trooper Amanda Anna was killed in a single vehicle crash along Route 37 in Hastings, New York.
At approximately 11:25 pm on May 25, 2012, her Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle went out of control on a curve and overturned several times after striking a guardrail. Trooper Anna was transported to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries at about 5:25 am the following morning.
Trooper Anna had served with the New York State Police for six years. She is survived by her 4-year-old son, mother, and fiance.
In 2014 we purchased all new benches. We are in the process of adding additional plaques to them for fallen Troopers since 2012. They will be installed in 2015.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER WINSTON I. MARTINDALE E.O.W. 7/24/13
Trooper Winston I. Martindale, 40, died on July 24, 2013 as a result of injuries he received at the scene of a plane crash in Wawayanda, New York on May 9, 2011.
Trooper Martindale was one of the first responding units at the scene of a crash involving two small airplanes. While attempting to free the two pilots from the wreckage Trooper Martindale fell onto a piece of equipment and sustained internal injuries. Despite his injuries, he continued in his efforts to free the pilots. Several hours later it was determined that Trooper Martindale had been severely injured. Over the following two years he underwent several surgeries. Trooper Martindale succumbed as a result of his injuries on July 24, 2013.
Trooper Martindale was a U.S. Army veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom. At the time of his death Trooper Martindale, a seven year veteran, was assigned to SP New Hampton. He had served with the New York State Police for seven years and was assigned to Troop F. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, sister, and brother.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER WILLIAM P. KEANE E.O.W. 8/23/13
Trooper William Keane died at the age of 56. A member of the Troop "A" Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, he suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in the North American Inspectors Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Trooper Keane had been participating in the timed commercial vehicle inspection events when he began to feel ill. He was transported to a local hospital when his conditioned worsened but passed away a short time later.
Trooper Keane was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the New York State Police for 26 years and was assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit in Troop A. He is survived by his wife, seven children, and six grandchildren.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER ROSS M. RILEY E.O.W. 11/20/13
Trooper Ross Riley, 44, was fatally injured while participating in training with the Special Operations Response Team in Lechworth Park, Wyoming County. Trooper Riley and his fellow SORT Team Members were conducting high angle rescue and training. As part of the exercise a life-size dummy had been placed on a ledge of a cliff over Wolf Creek. Trooper Riley, a paramedic for the agency, and two other troopers rappelled to the ledge and secured the dummy to a stretcher. As other personnel began to lift the stretcher Trooper Riley fell backwards and dropped approximately 30 feet into Wolf Creek, suffering severe head injuries.
The other two troopers immediately descended to his location and administered aid. He was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Trooper Riley was a 17 year veteran of the New York State Police, having served in Troop E, F and A prior to being selected to the Special Operations Response Team. Trooper Riley was decorated United States Marine who had served in the Persian Gulf Conflict. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER DAVID W. CUNNIFF E.O.W. 12/17/13
Trooper David W. Cunniff,35, succumbed to injuries sustained the previous night when his patrol car was struck from behind by a tractor trailer at approximately 8:25 pm.
He had made a traffic stop of the speeding vehicle on the New York State Thruway, at Exit 27, and was stopped on the shoulder when the semi hit him cruiser from behind. The impact caused him to become partially ejected. He was transported to a local hospital with massive injuries but succumbed to those injuries the following day.
On February 3rd, 2015, the driver of the tractor trailer was charged with aggravated criminally negligent homicide, aggravated manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and several traffic violations.
Trooper Cunniff had served with the New York State Police for nine years and was assigned to SP Fultonville in Troop T (Thruway) at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and two young sons.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER CHRISTOPHER G. SKINNER E.O.W. 5/29/14
Trooper Christopher G. Skinner, 42, was struck and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in the Town of Chenago by a hit-and-run driver.
Trooper Skinner was patrolling the area of a construction zone and was conducting a traffic stop just north of Exit 6, between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek, when he was intentionally struck by a vehicle that crossed two lanes of traffic. Trooper Skinner was killed instantly.
The subject who struck him continued driving up the interstate until stopping and running into the woods. He was apprehended approximately one hour later following a search of the area.
Trooper Skinner had served with the New York State Police for 13 years and was a member of the Troop C Traffic Incident Management Detail at the time of his death. He was survived by his three children, mother, two brothers, sister, and fiance.
IN MEMORY OF TROOPER DONALD R. FREDENBURG, JR. E.O.W. 3/13/15
Trooper Donald R. Fredenburg Jr., 23, collapsed and died when he suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in the daily physical training run with fellow members of the 203rd Session of the Basic School.
Trooper Fredenburg was a United States Marine, having served for four years prior to entering the Division on March 2, 2015. He is survived by his wife, parents and brother.
