Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak

Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak

New York State Police, New York

End of Watch Monday, August 30, 1982

Add to My Heroes

Gary E. Kubasiak

Trooper Gary Kubasiak was shot and killed by a mentally disturbed person who had barricaded himself in his home on Route 62 in Dayton.

Trooper Kubasiak, who knew the suspect personally, and his canine partner responded to the scene. While attempting to talk to the man in the kitchen, the suspect suddenly fired at Trooper Kubasiak before he even had a chance to defend himself or order his dog to attack. The suspect was later arrested after being shot by other officers.

The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2025.

Trooper Kubasiak was a United States Army Vietnam veteran and served with the New York State Police for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two sons, who both became New York State troopers.

Bio

  • Age 32
  • Tour 9 years
  • Badge 2223
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Rifle; .30-.30
  • Offender Sentenced to 35 years to life

domestic, EDP

Most Recent Reflection

View all 27 Reflections

I met Gary in the Army. We met I think in AIT at FT Leonard wood, Mo. Then we both attended NCOCC at Leonardwood, and graduated as Sgt. E5. If I remember correctly, Gary got married just before we went to Viet Nam. We landed in Cam Rhan bay first. I have a picture of us trying to take a shower in the rain cuz there was no water. We both ended up in the 20th Combat Engineer Battalion, Gary in D Co and me and several of our other buddies in B Co. We all ended up going 40 or so clicks south of Plieku to an LZ or fire base called Weigt-Davis. D Co had the duty then of going out on the road with the construction Engineers and provide security, mine sweeps, etc. My job at the time kept me inside the LZ. In the evening Gary and I and a couple other buddies would meet up and have a beer and watch a movie if there is one. Gary would always talk about his wife and how terribly he missed her. Nearly in tears a couple times.
One evening Gary didn't show up after work so I went looking for him. We were so new still that people didn't know us yet. Finally found his Sgt and found out he was medivaced but no one seemed to know why.
Got a letter from him bout a month later, his pinky finger got crushed in the tail gate of a 5 ton dump truck. It had to be amputated, but the Army doesn't do non emergency surgery in country, so he was living the life in a hospital in Japan and shortly thereafter was sent to a hospital close to his home in NY. He got to be with his wife. We were so happy for him.

I lost contact with Gary for some years but got in touch with his mom and then Gary. Here's the amazing part. He and I both were in Law Enforcement. He a NY State Trooper and me a Deputy Sheriff in Silver Bow county, Montana.
He was working upstate somewhere around Lake Placid and was going to work security on the down hill run and invited me to come as his guest. He and I both were avid skiers and talked about it a lot while boiling in some classroom or baking under RVN sun. As it turned out, I was in Alaska on a crab processor during the Olympics. Lost contact again.
Just a few years later I decided I would go see my bro, called the Trooper HQ to leave my info, found out what happened.
RIP Bro

Deputy Sheriff (Ret), Daniel Miller
Served together in 20 Combat Eng. Battalion

December 17, 2023

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.