Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dearest Brother - I went to 6:15 mass this morning for Dad's fifth anniversary of having joined you and mom. I never could have imagined that I would be asking Daddy along with you and mom to take care of my son. Like you my Sal was ripped out of our lives by a senseless act on the part of a person whose name has not been released to us and who acted in an unprovoked and unforgivable way. My son was robbed of his life and we who loved him have been destroyed and killed along with him. For a moment I was part of a survivor family because of your loss and now I am part of a victim family because of my son. It is so unimaginable for this to have happened and I fall apart each time I try to relive the circumstances. Why? Why God, didn't our family have enough pain, this too. Sal, maybe you could somehow let me understand why our family has had to endure these trials. I know in my head that bad things happen to good people but you and my son should have been spared. You were both cheated from sharing yourselves with those who would have benefitted from your presence in this world. Please forgive me for pouring out my heart to you but I so miss you and your wisdom and the way you would always be able to put things in perspective for the rest of us. Sal help me to deal with all the emotiions I am feeling, I don't want to become hateful and I don't want to let my family down by not being strong for them. I love you my big brother, and I'm counting on the intercession of each of you to storm heaven so that justice will prevail and God will bless us and in his mercy help us to heal. All my love always and stay close to your precious nephew.

Anita

February 21, 2006

Uncle Sal
I have always had a special place for you in my heart because you remained so alive in our family even after you had passed on to eternity. I keep a holy card with a picture of you on it to remind me to pray for you always. Your life and death were the inspirations for many of the good decision I made in my life. I wanted to do something very good with my life in your honor. My mother adores you.

After attending the funeral Mass of our dear brother Sal, I came to a deeper understanding of the loss that my mother suffered when Nan received the tragic news of your death that summer of 1961. All of the past has become somehow so present and I weep at the 2 losses that my mother has suffered. She needs your strength and protection more than ever now.

I can only trust that your arms were opened wide for your namesake when he left us all too soon and tragically just a few weeks ago. Kiss him for me Uncle --and one day I know that we will all be together again. What a GRAND day that will be INDEED!

Your niece
Cynthia

Cynthia --niece and daughter of Anita

February 14, 2006

Sal, I was going to wish you a Happy St, Valentine's Day in heaven, but I don't think our family will have a happy anything ever again. I am sitting here broken-hearted and I know you know why. I feel I have been chosen to lead Mom's life over again. I never fully understood why after your accident Mom was so absorbed in mourning your loss, but now I know firsthand. To lose a child is the most unsurvivable thing that can happen to a parent. I would tell Mom that it wasn't fair to Cookie and me because we still needed her. I know I have other children and I wish I could be there for them the way it was before but its not that way anymore. I had told Mom that if I ever had a son I would name him after you and she said that it might not be a good idea because it seemed that all the Sals were too good and that God would want them back much too soon. I did have a son and I was proud to name him after you. He had almost all of your finest traits. He was handsome, intelligent, loving and kind. As a boy he was a good student, athletically talented, a valued friend and an obedient son. He was never a problem. He excelled at everything just like you. He was a special joy. His sisters are devastated, because to lose a brother is a life altering painful experience. I also know that too well. His brother and he were very close and since he is such a sensitive kid I think the bravado he shows is couching the terrible hurt he is dealing with. His father is trying not to focus on our reality so that he can assume the responsibilities he has for our family. He is outraged as we all are at the circumstances for our sadness. Sal I hope you Mom and Dad were there to welcome our dear son and I pray that you all will watch over him until I can join all of you. Please pray for us in that communion of saints so that God will give us the strength we will need to cope and get through this terribly sad and difficult time. You know I always prayed for all those brave officers who would go out everyday in order to protect and serve the community and now I can only hope that someday I might feel that way again. Until we all meet again know that I miss all of you and you will all be in my heart and prayers. All my love and watch over my precious son.

Anita

February 14, 2006

Well Sal, I finally got your brother-in-law to take me over the Tappan Zee Bridge to visit the trooper barracks to see the memorabilia shaddow box they have in place for you and Tpr. Ambrose. A very nice trooper let us in and we took some photos. He told me that I could send floral arrangements to the barracks that would be placed near the outdoor memorial as anniversaries of special dates and holidays arise. We were up in NY for a neighborhood/St. Joseph's class of '56 reunion. It was great to see friends we hadn't been in contact with since the early 60's. Old friendships and memories are the best of things we hold near and dear in a world that has changed not always for the better; so it was a wonderful time. I stopped in to see Cookie and Anthony and our nephew Alfred dropped in with his three children. Everytime I see how our family has grown, I can't help but miss you more because I know you would have had such a positive influence on all our lives and your grandnieces and nephews can't even begin to understand what they have been robbed of by your absence from us. God continue to reward you for the fine son, brother, trooper and relative you were to all of us who remember when....Please continue to watch over us from that best place and know that you are loved, missed and carried in our hearts always. xo Anita

Anita L. Culosi

November 11, 2005

Today is your "would have been" seventy-fourth birthday. To have you grow older with the rest of us would have been wonderful, but fate deals us the hand we must play. I went to mass and communion today in your memory as it is not only your birthday but also St. Michael's feast day. I miss you my dear brother, I cherish all my memories of you and wish you a heavenly Happy Birthday. I hope you, mom and dad are all celebrating together. All my love always.

Anita

September 29, 2005

Sal, I apologize for not being able to attend the Sept. 9-11, 2005 Albany Tribute weekend in honor of all fallen NYS troopers. I will go to mass on Saturday in your memory and pray for all of your fellow officers, as I keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, my dear brother. xo Anita

Anita L. Culosi

September 8, 2005

Sal, I went to mass and communion in your memory this morning to acknowledge yet another anniversary of our great loss. I pray that you, mom and dad are together in that better place and are all happy and at peace once again. Cookie and I are ever mindful of the impact your life had on all who knew and loved you and we continue to recognize what your absence has cost our family. You were and are our greatest source of pride; a special treasure that God loaned us for too short a time. God's blessings on you as you rest in His heavenly reward knowing how much you are missed and loved.

XO Anita

Anita L. Culosi
sister

July 6, 2005

Sal and I went into DC yesterday to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the first time. We did a rubbing of your name as well as Bobby Ambrose name. We said a prayer for both of you and left flowers near your names. It is a tree lined memorial with adult lion sculptures at each entrance that are opposite lion cubs they are protecting. A very fitting symbol for the role that law officers assume in the performance of their duty. The inscription on the memorial wall reads "In valor, there is hope." I know that each name represented on those walls exemplified courage by just putting on his/her uniform and facing another day on the job. What very special human beings! I also went to the gift shop and purchased some items with NLEOM logos. Your nephew Chris was quick to put on a Tee shirt with the valor inscription and a memorial wrist band in your honor. Sal I will go to mass and communion on Wednesday in memory of your anniversary in heaven. Forty-four years and oh how I still wish it could have turned out differently. Know that you are always in our hearts, thoughts, memories and prayers. I love and miss you, my big brother. God bless you and keep watch over our families. XO Anita

Anita L Culosi
sister of Tpr. S.J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

July 4, 2005

Sal,
Keep looking out for us here. We sure need you to. Thanks for all the help from above so far...Keep Up the ggod work....

Your Brother in Arms.....

June 5, 2005

I was reading another officers reflection when I came upon your name. Your sister has much love for you! It is nice to see her devotion to the cause after so many years. Fligh high Trooper! You will not be forgotten by your brothers and sisters in blue. Watch over us. God bless.

Police Officer. C
Western, CO

May 28, 2005

This is a message to Ms. Culosi-the fine sister of this Trooper. I read your reflection for a Phoenix officer killed recently. Your kind words, your concern for others and your moving reflections here for your brother honor his memory, his sacrifice and his profesion. After so many years-you feel the pain of his loss and I am sorry. Your brother would be/is proud of you. May God Bless your family.
May-12-2005

May 12, 2005

Rest in Peace Trooper Embarrato. We Salute you for your service, honor your bravery, and will never forget your life and sacrifice. You are 10-42 Sir!

Melissa Smock
Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

March 30, 2005

Sal and I went to the 10th anniversary survivor's weekend in Albany to honor you on the same weekend as Sal's 40th West Point reunion. We visited the memorial wall at the state plaza and said a prayer for you and got a rubbing of your name from the wall. It was a very impressive tribute to all of you who gave your lives in performance of your duty. The suvivor families are a warm and welcoming group of people unfortunately bound together by our loss. The dedicated association who put the weekend together worked extremely hard to make the occasion not only one of remembrance for all troopers who gave their lives on the job but one of support and respect for the sacrifices made by their families. We all share the void of not having had each of you in our lives as we grew and our families expanded. I know how I would have loved to have my children and grandchildren, as well as Cookie's family, know you and have you as a role model and positive influence in their lives. Sal I miss you so much. I know how long it has been and although time deals with what cannot be changed the pain of not having you in our lives all these years is still heartbreaking to me. All my memories of you are loving. You really were one terrific guy. I have sons and so does Cookie and without being judgmental, ours don't come close to Mom's. I wish you could have been there for them. Your brother-in-laws are good men but you were the hero to Cookie and me. I went to Mass for your birthday and I offered my prayers and intentions for you. You are always in my heart and thoughts and I cherish my memories of you. We were proud to light a candle in your memory at the closing of the service on Sunday and God willing we will attend again next year. All my love, anita

anita l culosi
sister

October 7, 2004

It is an honor to leave a reflection for a man from our long grey line. You have been honored through our K-9 program and your name lives on through the companion of a friend of mine. May you watch over them in their years together.

Sgt Timothy Owens
NYSP - Troop T

March 7, 2004

Sal, some things never change - just like when I was a kid - I forgot to think before speaking or should I say writing. I neglected to mention that a fromer trooper by the name of Herb Miller got in touch with Cookie after reading about the Tarrytown ceremony in the Rockland Journal News. He said he served with you for about two years and felt badly that he didn't know about the ceremony until he read about it in the paper. He would have been there if only he knew. He too spoke of you in superlatives. He said everytime he passes the place on the thruway where the accident occured, he thinks of you and remembers what a great guy you were. I also forgot to mention that when I spoke of you on Monday, I mentioned that you went to Cardinal Hayes High School and lo and behold two Hayesmen introduced themselves saying that Hayes is still turning out troopers. They were happy to know that they had something in common with you. Actually there were three Hayes troopers, but I only met two. All the troopers who introduced themselves were fine young men, very genuine. The day was lovely, and the memorial very impressive. Everyone who spoke, did so sincerely. You even had a K9 patrol dog named in your honor. They didn't know if you had a nickname (even though we know Dad called you Sonny) so they named the German-shepherd "Ember," the first two syllables of our last name, but I really don't know how they are spelling it. He is a handsome dog. I neglected to find out the name of the trooper he may be assigned to but I'm hoping Ember will be deserving of your moniker and be an outstanding partner.
Missing you as much as ever! anita

anita l culosi

October 8, 2003

Sal, I hope you know how proud Cookie and I were to attend the memorial service to honor both you and Tpr. Ambrose at Tarrytown on Oct. 6. It was one of many for the Ambrose family as their son has been honored numerous times since his untimely passing at such a young age and in such a tragic way. For you to be included was, as your friend and fellow Tpr. Donald Pinto said, long over due. He spoke about your finest traits, your willingness to help others, your integrity, and honesty. He said you were likable, humble and the most intelligent man he ever met. Forty-two years later and that is still the impression you left as though it was yesterday. I tried to tell those troopers, who were so young and didn't know anything about you other than your accident, who you were as a person. I hope I did you some small justice in my recollection of days too long ago. I forgot to say what a amazing chess player you were; how you'd put up that punching bag in your room and would rhythmically punch it with your hands and elbows in a way that would have rivalled Stallone's Rocky character (you would have enjoyed the movie, the character was the underdog, the one you would always pull for). You even had something in common with Tpr. Ambrose besides the obvious, he lifted weights too. Sal, you are not only loved and carried in our thoughts and hearts, but you will always be remembered by the brotherhood of troopers who are yet to come. The ceremony gave us the opportunity to experience what you must have known when you went out for that job. They are a cut above! I continue to pray for you and now they have faces that I can include in those prayers. We will cherish our memories of you and miss you until we all meet again. You were and are the best of us. All my love. Anita

anita l. culosi (sister)

October 8, 2003

Having just returned from the Tarrytown memorial for this brave trooper and Trooper Ambrose, I wish to convey my condolences to your family. Although I was not even born when you were lost, your loss was felt by every man, woman, and child at that ceremony. You will never be forgotten. God bless you and your lovely family. It was a pleasure to meet them and remember you. Rest easy Trooper.

New York State Police

October 7, 2003

Mom carried this prayer in her purse till the day she passed away.

Build us a son, Oh Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, but humble and gentle in victory. Build us a son whose wishes will not replace his actions, a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Send him, we pray, not in the path of ease and comfort but the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge, here let him learn to stand up in the storm, here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build us a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others, one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep, one who will reach into the future, but never forget the past. And, after all these things are his, we pray that he have enough sense of humor to always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength. Then, we his parents will dare to whisper we have not lived in vain.

Mom and Dad DID NOT live in vain. You were and are that son, their gift from God.

anita l. culosi

October 6, 2003

Rest in Peace Trooper. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Anonymous

October 3, 2003

REST IN PEACE TROOPER