Designates a portion of state route 353 as the "Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak Memorial Highway"

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the highway law to designate the portion of state route 353 between the intersections of state routes 62 and 39 as the "Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak Memorial Highway".

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

The State Police, since its creation in 1917, has lost 124 brave and dedicated members in its ceaseless furtherance of public peace and order. Though now gone, these public servants' memory lives on, both in the minds and hearts of the friends, neighbors and families whose lives they touched, as well as in the repositories of New York State's history. These men and women's names also grace the Wall of Honor in the New York State Police Academy in Albany, but no single distinction can rival their sacrifice; no words can accurately reflect the enormity of what they gave up in the pursuit of their duty.

This bill is a commemoration of one such brave Trooper, Gary E. Kubasiak, who was lethally shot responding to an assault in the Town of Dayton on August 30, 1982.

On that day, Trooper Kubasiak, a nine year veteran of the State Police, was off-duty putting some finishing touches to his newly constructed home in the Town of Perrysburg in Cattaraugus County. Trooper Kubasiak was married to his wife, Melody, with whom he had two young boys: Ryan and Randy, ages ten and seven.

That day, the State Police Fredonia Barracks was contacted by a mother of a mentally unstable male, who she reported had just assaulted her. The mother, who was able to escape the residence, was calling from a neighbor's home. Troopers dispatched to the scene soon found that her son had barricaded himself inside her residence, which was stocked with firearms.

Upon word of these developments, Trooper Kubasiak took it upon himself to respond to the scene and offer his assistance. Assigned to a K-9 unit, he arrived with his dog Donivan to be briefed by the other troopers. Together, they resolved to end the dangerous standoff. Trooper Kubasiak would make contact with the suspect at the front door, while another officer covered the back of the house. However,

immediately after announcing his presence, Trooper Kubasiak was tragically struck with three rounds from the suspect's high-powered rifle. Upon hearing the gun shots, the second officer immediately confronted the suspect, ordering him to drop his weapon. Failing to respond, the suspect began to once again take aim, but before he was able to pull the trigger, the officer fired, wounding him and causing his rifle to fall. The suspect was placed in custody and secured by State Police personnel. Following a lengthy trial, he was eventually sentenced to spend the majority of his life in prison.

On sustaining his injuries, Trooper Kubasiak was immediately rushed to Tri-County Memorial Hospital. There, he succumbed to what proved to be lethal wounds. That day, he was the 95th member of the State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

Every year since his death, Gary's family and friends, along with members of the State Police have gathered together to remember and honor his life and work through a mass and breakfast. His two sons, Ryan and Randy, honor him in another way still: both have followed in their father's footsteps and joined the State Police, where they still serve today.

This bill is a small token of appreciation for the immeasurable sacrifice that Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak made on that solemn day when his life ended, on August 30th, 1982. It is a tribute to his memory, which his family, community, the State Police and New York State continue to honor.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.