Governor Hochul Announces Graduation of 238 New Troopers From the 217th Session of the State Police Basic School

Governor Kathy Hochul today joined New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James in honoring 238 new State Troopers as they graduated today from the 217th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today’s graduation increases the State Police ranks to approximately 5,110 sworn members.

“Our State Police represent the best of New York, offering nothing short of their full devotion each day to the safety and security of our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “Public safety is my number one priority — and on behalf of all New Yorkers, I commend these 238 men and women for their selfless commitment to service and congratulate them on this extraordinary achievement.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Today’s graduates join a proud and honorable tradition of service that spans more than a century. The men and women of the 217th Basic School have shown remarkable determination, integrity, and resilience throughout their training. As they take their oath and begin their assignments across New York, I have every confidence they will uphold the high standards of professionalism and public service that define the New York State Police.”

In addition to honoring all graduates from the 217th Session of Basic School, Superintendent James presented the following awards:

Academic Achievement Award

As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.

The recipient of the Academic Achievement Award is Trooper Haley E. Yegorov, age 24 who resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Ashworth College with an associate degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a Paralegal working at a law firm in New York City. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 97.35 percent. He will be assigned to Troop K.

Firearms Proficiency Award

The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.

The recipient of the Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award is Trooper Josue V. Garibay, age 25 who resides in Albany, New York. He is a graduate of American Military University where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps, and he was a police officer with the city of Albany. During firearms training, he achieved an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop G.

Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award

The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.

The recipient of the Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award is Connor T. Hamilton, age 24 who resides in Rocky Point, New York. He is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in adolescence education in mathematics. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he taught mathematics in Port Jefferson Station, NY. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 238 Members of the 217th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop C.

Student Representative

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.

The recipient of this award is Richard A. Lagano, age 30 who resides in Watertown, New York. He is a graduate of SUNY Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in business economics. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was an assistant store manager at Lowe’s in Oswego, NY. He will be assigned to Troop D.

The National Anthem at the ceremony was performed by Trooper Madison D. Sciera, a member of the graduating class. There was also a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 217th Basic School Session.

The new Troopers will start to report for field duty on October 27, 2025. For the following 10 weeks, the new Troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.

Below is a list of Permanent Troop assignments where graduates will begin their careers after completing their field training. Included are the hometowns of the graduates.