Governor Hochul Directs Flags to Half-Staff to Honor New York State Parks Employee Aaron J. Peters

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff on January 24, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation employee Aaron J. Peters. Aaron Peters, a member of the regional sawyer crew, was fatally injured January 17 while involved in tree removal at Golden Hill State Park in Niagara County.

“Aaron Peters’ tragic death reminds us that New York State employees often put themselves in harm’s way while working to improve the safety of their fellow citizens and colleagues,” Governor Hochul said. “He will not be forgotten by his friends and family, and my heart goes out to all of those whose lives he touched.”

Aaron worked at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for three years, and served on the regional ropes access team and sawyer crew. He had deep family ties to the state park system. He was the son of recently retired Niagara Region Deputy General Manager Ron Peters and Jennifer Ray, who recently left the regional business office.