New York State Police Captain Michael J. Girard read the names of Troopers James A. Skiff, Ronald J. Donahue, Thomas L. Pryme and Shawn W. Snow; St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells recognized Deputy Sheriff Fred Petrie and Massena Village Police Chief Adam J. Love honored Patrolman Stanton Hutchins.
• Trooper Skiff died from injuries he sustained in an accident on May 25, 1920 in the city of Ogdensburg. He was riding as a passenger in a motorcycle sidecar when it struck a trolley. Trooper Skiff was the first state trooper in the state to die while on duty. He was 39.
• Deputy Sheriff Petrie died on Jan. 4, 1921, two days after the jail turnkey was assaulted by an inmate wielding a shovel in the jail's boiler room. The deputy sheriff's skull was fractured in the attack. He was 57.
• Patrolman Hutchins died Oct. 23, 1932 when another vehicle pulled into the path of his motorcycle when the police officer was responding to a fire call on South Main Street. He was 34.
• Trooper Donahue, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, was shot and killed May 23, 1959 after he and his partner attempted to arrest a group of men creating a disturbance outside the courthouse in Bombay.
Trooper Donahue chased and tackled a fleeing suspect, but during the ensuing struggle the suspect was able to gain control of the trooper's weapon and shot him and his partner. His partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect, later convicted of manslaughter.
The trooper killed in the fracas was 24, still the youngest trooper to die on duty in the 99-year history of the New York State Police.
Trooper Donahue chased and tackled a fleeing suspect, but during the ensuing struggle the suspect was able to gain control of the trooper's weapon and shot him and his partner. His partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect, later convicted of manslaughter.
The trooper killed in the fracas was 24, still the youngest trooper to die on duty in the 99-year history of the New York State Police.
• Trooper Thomas L. Pryme was killed July 24, 1982 when his patrol vehicle was struck head on by a drunk driver on Route 56 near the village of Potsdam as he was heading to his Colton home following the end of his shift. Ironically, the vehicle that struck him was the van he had been searching for at the end of his shift after state police had received a report of an erratic driver. He was 35.
• Trooper Snow, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, was electrocuted while assisting a driver change a tire on an antique firetruck. As Trooper Snow and the driver worked on the tire, the wind shifted and the fire truck's ladder came in contact with an overhead power line, killing both men. Trooper Snow was 47.
Captain Girard, who is in his 30th year as a trooper, said he worked with Trooper Snow for 20 years and had led the investigation into his death.
He said the trooper had gone to the antique firetruck driver's aid after a tow truck operator determined he didn't have the equipment necessary to handle the task. "He was the epitome of what a public servant should be," Captain Girard said.
The state police captain also honored the armed forces for the work they do to keep our country safe so ceremonies like Sunday's dedication of the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial can take place.
He also said it is important to never forget the contributions of the six men whose names are listed on the monument.
"Each of our fallen heroes' sacrifices must be honored, not only today but every day," Captain Girard said.
Retired St. Lawrence County Judge Eugene L. Nicandri said he had the opportunity as an attorney and later county court judge to see first hand the work of the dedicated men and women of law enforcement.
He said he had a good understanding of the stress the men and women of law enforcement are under when they have to make split second decisions without the benefit of time and hindsight on their side.
"Today, more than 900,000 law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every day. They serve with valor, distinction and great success. Each year there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers and a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty approximately every 61 hours," Judge Nicandri said.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, speaking after the ceremony, said she felt it was important to be at the dedication ceremony.
"Today was such a beautiful day to reflect on and remember the lives and sacrifices of the six fallen members of St. Lawrence County's law enforcement community," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"Today is a reminder of the dangers that our men and women in law enforcement face each day. We heard about the family members left behind when these six officers died on duty. We owe those family members a tremendous debt of gratitude for living with these losses as a result of their loved ones service to our communities," she added.
Assemblywoman Russell had carried legislation in the New York State Assembly that led to the designation of a stretch of Route 812 from the intersection of Route 37 to the Ogdensburg-Prescott, Ont., bridge as Trooper Shawn W. Snow Street.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell and Massena Village Police Chief Adam J. Love check out the monument following the dedication of the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial in the Village Park in Canton.
BOTTOM PHOTO:
Representatives of the New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and local police departments were on hand for the dedication of the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial in the Village Park in Canton.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell talks to retired St. Lawrence County Court Judge Eugene L. Nicandri following the dedication of the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial in the Village Park in Canton. Judge Nicandri and Captain Michael J. Girard of the New York State Police delivered remarks at the dedication ceremony.
Dana Snow, whose brother, Shawn, is one of the six names on the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance during the monument's dedication ceremony in Canton.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with the widow of Trooper Shawn Snow, Penny, and retired Trooper Joe Walker following the dedication ceremony for the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial.
Members of the Edward G. Seymour Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars stand in front of the St. Lawrence County Peace Officers Memorial. The members of the post were credited with being the inspiration for the memorial and also provided funding for the monument.
