New York State Police, New York
End of Watch Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Add to My HeroesRoss M. Riley
Trooper Ross Riley died after falling approximately 30-feet while participating in a high-angle rescue training exercise in Letchworth State Park.
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 U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Persian Gulf War and had served with the New York State Police for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 17 years
- Badge 2105
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Fall
Most Recent Reflection
View all 215 ReflectionsTrooper Riley. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed since we started at the State Police Academy together back on October 28, 1996. I still remember you showing our academy class mates, myself included, how to get that perfect shine on our shoes. Your military background saved a lot of us recruits from doing tons of pushups. I retired from the State Police on June 25th and have been thinking a lot about you and the other thirty four of our brother and sister Troopers that made the ultimate sacrifice during my career. I know that you are still up there watching over all of us and that we will meet again someday. Rest easy my friend and know that I will never forget you.
Retired - Trooper Dan Snyder
New York State Police
July 8, 2020
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