Trooper Paul Ashburn, New York State Police, New York

Trooper Paul Ashburn

New York State Police, New York

End of Watch Tuesday, July 26, 1983

Paul Ashburn

Trooper Paul Ashburn was killed when a tractor-trailer struck him and the vehicle he had stopped for a traffic infraction on the New York Thruway, approximately 10 miles south of Rochester.

He had issued the driver a warning and was speaking to her when his head was struck by the mirror on the passing truck.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with negligent homicide.

Trooper Ashburn's younger brother also became a New York State trooper. He was assigned Trooper Ashburn's badge upon graduation from the academy.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle

traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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I was the second trooper on the scene when Paul was killed by the tractor trailer. Trooper Peggy Casey was the first. At the time it was believed that the truck driver was "dusting" Paul. This was a practice where the trucker would attempt to have the draft of his vehicle knock the Troopers hat off. The West coast mirror hit the back of Paul's head as he spoke to the female driver that he had given a verbal warning to about a traffic violation. Paul was commenting on an antique necklace the woman was wearing and she told me suddenly he was gone. He was a good man and brother. I think of him every time I pass that spot
southbound just south of the Berkshire spur. We were crying like babies when we picked him up and I will carry that day to my grave.

Investigator Joe Kochetta NYSP Retired
NYSP 17 years Troop Y Zone 1 & 2

April 16, 2018