New York State Police Officers Memorial Event Honors 18 Officers Who Died in the Line of Duty and 83 Who Died from Ground Zero-Related Illnesses
Governor Hochul Directs State Landmarks to be Illuminated Blue on September 28 to Honor the Sacrifice of the Fallen Officers and Recognize the Service of All Police Officers Across the State
Governor Hochul: "I can't explain what it feels like to be here as your governor, the sense of responsibility that I have to all of you to protect 20 million people in this state, but I only can do it because of the people in uniform here and to all the leaders of these organizations, know that I will never take one second of your service for granted."
Hochul: "I will make sure you have the resources you need to continue protecting us when others decline that privilege, that opportunity. So the families, know that you are loved. There is a whole family of New Yorkers that is so grateful and can only imagine what you're going through today, but by showing up here today ... You have the courage to come here. When you must be just reeling with pain of the loss of your loved one, and you showed up for them. That my friends is awesome and incredible."
Today in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul honored 101 police officers who gave their lives in service to communities across New York State. The names of the officers, who served with 10 different agencies, were added to the New York State Police Officers Memorial, which was dedicated 30 years ago on the Empire State Plaza in Albany and now includes the names of 1,668 officers who died in the line of duty. More than 300 people attended this afternoon's Remembrance Ceremony, during which Governor Hochul offered keynote remarks.
VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.
AUDIO of the event is available here.
PHOTOS of the event will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Good afternoon, and thank you Commissioner Green for all your service and particularly your efforts working with Commissioner Destito to create this beautiful place - a place of respite, a place of calm, a place for people to come and hopefully have some semblance of healing.
To Father Joseph D'Angelo, I believe this may be your 30th year coming to this. You were here for the very first event put together by Mario Cuomo when he first built this beautiful memorial and I want to thank you. Let's give a round of applause for being here for 30 years.
Also, Pastor David Traynham, I want to thank you for just again powerfully reminding us that the presence of God is with us and may the presence of God help all of our families heal at this particular time.
Senator John Brooks and Assemblymember Abbate, thank you for representing the leadership of the Senate and the Assembly.
And to my partners in State government, our Attorney General Letitia James and our Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, let's give them a round of applause as well.
And to the many representatives of local government and the law enforcement agencies, they come year after year after year, and this is simply our very, very modest way of just showing one word, and that's 'respect'. Respect for those whose lives we've lost and respect for those who continue to proudly wear the uniform.
Opportunities like this, yes, we missed last year and that's why we have 101 individuals and you all heard the numbers, but the numbers are just numbers. There's a person behind every one of those and I can see in the faces of every one of the family members who journeyed here today, who perhaps woke up this morning thinking, this is going to really be hard to sit there and have everything come rushing back, all the emotion, the pain, and perhaps the healing was just beginning for some of you and it's like having the scab pulled off again where it all comes out to you and you are just feeling, why, why, why was someone I cherish so much taken from me?
And I don't have the answer to that question and I also approach this as a mom who knows that a journey of love begins with your child the first second you hold them, and those moms and dads who lost a loved one, I cannot even imagine the pain but I also have to imagine something very special went on in your household where you were raising your child, something instilled in them, this sense beyond themselves that they had an obligation and a duty to serve their community in a powerful way because every one of us, 20 million New Yorkers, have the opportunity to serve in law enforcement, and how few answer that call. But your child, or perhaps your spouse, your brother, your sister, your grandpa, they answered that call. So they learned something in that household that needs to be taught elsewhere, that there is honor in service, and I want you to know how appreciative we are that we don't take for granted this.
We don't just think about this one day a year. This is what we live with, the ability to sleep under the blanket of security that your loved one provided to all of us and those who serve still do. That's incredible to me. It's absolutely incredible. I can't wipe away the pain. I do know that grief is the price we pay for love, you love them so much, and they loved you.
And I can't erase the emptiness, the empty chairs at holiday events, the empty seat in the squad vehicle, for those of you, who've been out on the road with, them who served with them. I can't erase the emptiness, but let's focus on the fullness, the fullness of their lives and the people they touched and perhaps inspired others to do exactly what those in uniform were doing today.
Saying I want to serve. I care about my country. I love this community and I feel this obligation to serve.
We're told a few things from the Bible. Hopefully, you find some comfort in reading passages or wherever your religion takes you, but one that is so simple and so profound reminds me of your loved ones.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they should be called the children of God. Your loved one, your treasured son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister was a peacemaker. And we only have peace because of people stepping forth and saying, I will perform that role.
I can't explain what it feels like to be here as your governor, the sense of responsibility that I have to all of you to protect 20 million people in this state, but I only can do it because of the people in uniform here and to all the leaders of these organizations, know that I will never take one second of your service for granted.
I will honor you. I will make sure you have the resources you need to continue protecting us when others decline that privilege, that opportunity. So the families, know that you are loved. There is a whole family of New Yorkers that is so grateful and can only imagine what you're going through today, but by showing up here today, you also showed something profound.
That you are as strong as the granite behind us. You have the courage to come here. When you must be just reeling with pain of the loss of your loved one, and you showed up for them. That my friends is awesome and incredible. God bless you. God bless the great State of New York and God bless America.
Thank you.