top of page

Search Results

1745 results found with an empty search

  • President Labuda's Weekly Video Update - April 17, 2026

    NYSPIA Weekly Update This week’s update highlighted several key developments and reminders for members: Retirement Recognition: Congratulations were extended to Senior Investigator Jan Golding on his retirement after 32 years of dedicated service in Troop F, including 20 years in the backroom. Staffing Updates: Discussions with Field Command indicate that potential increases to FIU and CRU line numbers are gaining traction, with positive changes possibly forthcoming. Body-Worn Cameras: Division has submitted a proposed policy for BCI body-worn cameras. The NYSPIA board has reviewed the proposal and will be providing recommendations, with further discussions scheduled with Division leadership. Scholarship Opportunity: Members with college-age students are encouraged to apply for the NYSPIA scholarship program. Details have been sent via email. Legislative Update: Bill S7986, which would allow State Police members to receive retirement credit for prior firefighter service, is expected to be voted on next week. Members with a vested interest are encouraged to monitor its progress. Member Wellness & Professional Responsibility: With summer approaching and workloads increasing, members were reminded of the importance of accountability, professionalism, and looking out for one another. An increase in personnel complaints has been noted, many of which are preventable. Members are encouraged to utilize available resources, including EAP, and to proactively address issues before they escalate. Members are encouraged to stay engaged, support one another, and reach out with any questions or concerns.

  • Batavia Chapter's April 15, 2026, Minutes

    Minutes from the Batavia Chapter of the AFNYST April 15, 2026, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 3:23PM, by President Gary Hammond. He started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for all 1st. responders, and troops in harms way, serving over 130 countries. President Gary Hammond: a.       Reschedule of Helena Mulkawa NYSP EAP who was supposed to speak at this meeting to our May 20th meeting due to a schedule conflict. b.       Deadline to enroll in the WTC Program is September 11, 2026. You must be enrolled to take advantage of the monitoring program and VCF (victims compensation board). Medical monitoring phone is (888)982-4748. The VCF (victims compensation fund) is (855)885-1555. Or vcf.gov Contact retiree liaison Mike Darby at mcdarby694@gmail.com For further info c.       NYSPIA meeting being held in Buffalo at the Embassy Suites 200 Delaware Ave. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:30PM. d.       Tier 6 reform is gaining traction. Reduce contributions from 6% to 3% and increase OT cap from 15% to 30%. e.       Upcoming State Budget: No movement on cola. Pension earnings cap raised to $50,000.00. f.         Niagara Chapter BBQ set for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Buffalo River Grove, formerly Fontana’s, 2299 Clinton St., West Seneca, $25.00p/p. g.        Signal 30 scholarship deadline is May 4th. Contact info (518)313-7010 or aneeson@signal30.org. h.       Troop “A” HR218 shoot scheduled for July 10th and 17th at 9:00AM. i.          State Meeting in Syracuse this Saturday. Mike Bruggman and I will be attending. We are going to make arrangements for zoom meetings in the winter months to save trips. Treasurer Mike Bruggman: Motion made by Skip Scroger to accept the treasurer’s report as given. 2nded by Mick Schrader and passed. Still transitioning. Copies of last month’s income and expenditures were passed out. In the future, it will be on Mike’s computer, available for inspection. Secretary Kathy Hartman: Motion made by Mick Schrader to accept minutes as emailed, 2nded by Bob Doe and passed. a.       Received a thank you note from Crossroads House for donations in Anne Ireland, Gary Wilkerson and Dennis Spanitz. b.       Received a beautiful thank you note from Ken Ireland thanking us for the donation in his mom’s name, saying this was a beautiful tribute of support from an incredible organization. And thanking all those who sent notes, cards and texts. c.       Sent cards, flowers and a Tops gift certificate to Barb Kosciolek (who has made many of our monthly meals and especially the November Annual Pork Chop dinner) for a speedy recovery from her fall and broken leg. d.       Sent an official request to Helena Mulkawa to speak to our Chapter regarding what is available to our members from the EPA. She will speak at our May 20th, meeting. e.       Sold Golf for 4 with cart at the Batavia Country Club with no expiration date. f.         Announced retirement party for Sgt. Tom Hathaway (27 years’ service), Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00PM, at the Sidelines Sports Bar, 6036 Transit Rd., Depew, NY 14043. Cash bar. Old Business: None. New Business: None. Good and Welfare: None. 50/50: Bob Doe Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 3:00PM. Motion to Adjourn: Howie Hartman made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jerry Schlagenhauf 2nded and passed. Close: Meeting closed at 4:06PM.

  • Final Patrol: Former Trooper Dennis W. Scott

    Dennis Scott Obituary Dennis W. Scott, 73, passed away on April 3, 2026. Born on May 9, 1952, Dennis was raised in Copenhagen, New York , where he grew up on a farm alongside his three brothers. He carried that hands-on, hardworking spirit with him throughout his life. He served as a New York State Trooper for a period of time, an important chapter in his life. He was also a skilled and dedicated carpenter, with a natural talent for building and improving homes and a keen eye for detail that defined much of his work. Dennis lived life on his own terms, what he called the “Book of Dennis.” He was always working on something, finding ways to build, fix, or improve the spaces around him, and took pride in doing things his own way. He also brought a sense of joy and personality into what he created, often using his work as a way to make others smile. He was known for his kindness and the way he cared for others. He was always thinking about how he could help, often lending a hand to neighbors or anyone who needed it. He had a saying, “always love, never judge.” He was grateful for the time he was able to spend with the next generation of his family. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, along with extended family and friends. Dennis will be remembered for his generosity, his independence, and the lasting impression he left on those who knew him. There will be no public funeral services for Dennis. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Enea Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, NY 13357 You may leave memories of Dennis or condolences on the funeral home website by visiting www.eneafamily.com . To plant trees in memory, please visit the  Sympathy Store . Published by WKTV on Apr. 9, 2026.

  • Capital District Minutes, March 18, 2026

    ASSOCIATION OF FORMER NEW YORK STATE TROOPERS CAPITAL DISTRICT CHAPTER MINUTES Of The March 18, 2026 Regular Meeting   Call to Order: A regular meeting of the Capital District Chapter of the AFNYST was held at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The meeting convened with President Jerri Stover presiding, with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for our departed Members.    Members and Guests in attendance:  (23)  Pete Bentley, John Brooks, Kevin Buchal, Mark Cepiel, Brent & Leigh Gillam, Rich Kober, John Kolach, Ray Kuchesky, Curt Lohrey,  Dave Madden, Eric Meybaum, Ben Moran, Steve Nieves, Angela Penny, Dan Penny, Cash Phillips, John Ratynski, Brian & Julianne Schweigardt, Jerri Stover, Bill Thobae, Mike Wright   Members and Guests in attendance via video link: (0) No virtual meeting was available due to lack of equipment this month.   Sick Call:    Walt Marchewka - Briefly hospitalized. Recovering at home.   Final Patrol: Line Of Duty Death: Major Frank J. Keyser (Retired)  01/11/2026 Sergeant/Station Commander Donald Culbert  (Retired) 01/19/2026 Technical Sergeant Anthony R. Strollo (Retired)  01/19/2026 Trooper Ronald H. Soper (Retired) 02/02/2026 Final Patrol: Zone Sergeant James F. Hughes  (Retired) 03/12/2026 In Memoriam Civilian Employee Marilyn R. Dillon  (Retired) 01/03/2026 Sandra A. Mamrosh,  Civilian Employee (Retired) 03/01/2026 August ‘Augie’ Simpson , Family Member 01/12/2026 Mary F. Hudson,  Family Member 02/13/2026 Priscilla Curthoys , Family Member 02/13/2026 Daniel J. Van Buskirk,  Family Member 02/17/2026 Mary K. Gillam,  Family Member 02/19/2026 Approval of Minutes: Motion to waive the reading of and approve the   November 2025  minutes was made by Curt Lohrey and seconded by Dan Penny. Motion carried .      Approval of Treasurer’s Report:  Motion to waive the reading of and approve the Treasurer's report for the period November 2025 - February 2026 was made by Dave Madden and seconded by Curt Lohrey. Motion carried.          Officer’s Reports:   President Jerri Stover: Reported on the membership applications of: Deborah Coppola,  who retired in 2011 and served in Troop G, retiring as Investigator. Thomas R. Fulle r, who served from 1987 to 2018 in Troops H&L, retiring as Sergeant. Kim Law , who served from 1983 to 2017 in Troops F & H, retiring as Lieutenant. Kurt R. Ray , who served from 1988 to 2020 in Troops C, G & H, retiring as Trooper.       Vice-President: Absent    Treasurer Steve Nieves: Financial Oversight & Strategy Investment:  Moved $12,000  into a high-yield CD at $3.5\%$  interest, projected to earn over $400  by year-end. Account Security:  Jerry is now a second authorized signer on the KeyBank account. Steve also moved $4,000 from checking to savings to protect against potential debit card theft, maintaining a lower checking balance of approximately $2,000 . Tax Compliance:  The Treasurer confirmed the chapter is currently halfway through the year and well below the $50,000  threshold required for Form 990 tax-exempt status. Donations:  $25 donations were approved for the Christian Brothers Academy and the Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter in memory of Strollo and Hughes. Membership Changes Non-Renewals:  Mike Tietz, Gil Perez, and Rob Milone. Current Arrears:  There are 37  members with unpaid dues. Secretary/Clerk Mike Wells: Absent Board and Committee Reports: None          Old Business : None        New Business: None Good and Welfare: None 50/50 :      Gino D'Angelo   Next Meeting: The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks, One Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Dinner will start at 6:30 P.M followed by the meeting. As usual, a social hour at 5:30 P.M. will precede the meeting.    If you are unable to attend in person, a Google Meet will be active for you to attend via video. To join the video meeting goto: https://meet.google.com/cwd-sgky-mxg Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 585-535-3226 and enter this PIN: 520483 475# The Google Meet will be active at about 7:00 PM.   Adjournment :   Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Thobae and seconded by John Brooks. Motion carried .  To listen to the audio recording of this meeting, click here: March 2026 . ______________________________ Michael F. Wells Secretary/Clerk AFNYST – Capital District Chapter  mwells4177@afnyst.org www.afnyst.org

  • In Memoriam: Jill Graap, Family Member

    Jill is the granddaughter of Niagara Frontier Chapter Member Greg Wildridge. In Memory of Jill Graap Jill Graap (Wright) Jill Graap, age 43, passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2026 after a long illness. She was born on June 24, 1982 in Buffalo, NY. Jill worked for People Inc. for 18 years, and was a fierce advocate for all those in her care.  Jill is survived by her husband Dan, daughter Marissa, parents Jackie Wright (Mike Madill) and Bob Wright (Lynn McHugh), and grandparent Greg and Bunny Wildridge and Jim and Mimi DeLacy. Jill is the sister of Jessica Wander and the late Josh Wright. She is also the beloved Titi to Ella and Alexander Wander.  Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 15 from 4-7 pm at Wendel and Loecher Funeral Home 27 Aurora St. Lancaster NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, or People Inc. in celebration of Jill .  Share condolences at wendelandloecherinc.com

  • World Trade Center Guidance

    Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2026 10:09 AM Subject: World Trade Center Guidance   Please see attached from Superintendent James.     Authority:  Deputy Superintendent Gregory S. Thomas                  Employee Relations The Superintendent would like to remind and encourage all members, current and retired, who may be eligible for World Trade Center (WTC) Benefits , including both Federal and New York State programs, to ensure that they are fully registered. Available Benefits Federal Programs World Trade Center Health Program - Open Registration until the year 2090. Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) - Open Registration until the year 2090. New York State Programs New York State & Local Retirement System Presumptions Workers’ Compensation Board Presumptions Please note: These applications must be completed before you can apply for additional benefits. Even if you are not currently experiencing any health issues, it is imperative to register. Registration preserves your right to file future claims. If you are unsure of your eligibility, or if you checked your status years ago, please verify again — both the programs and eligibility criteria have changed over time. Members who have questions about their status may email the Human Resources Office at hresource@troopers.ny.gov. Critical Deadline The current registration period for State benefits closes on September 11, 2026. Unless extended by legislation, this may be the final opportunity to register. Failure to register may leave you, and your loved ones without access to these important protections. Medical Monitoring If you are unsure if you are enrolled in the WTC Medical Monitoring Program , call 888-982-4748 . If you need to enroll, you should email steven.wallace@mssm.edu. Once enrolled in the WTC Medical Monitoring Program , it is essential to attend your annual monitoring appointments. These visits: Provide routine screening, Help track illnesses over time, and Support consideration of additional certified conditions for the program. Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Registering with the VCF preserves your right to file a claim if you are diagnosed with a certified WTC-related illness. To determine if you are currently registered with the VCF you can call 855-885- 1555 or go to vcf.gov. If you are not currently registered , it is recommended that you register to preserve your right to file a claim. Additional Screening Options It is important to understand that while the World Trade Center Health Program does provide testing, Members are encouraged to consider additional diagnostic screenings and blood panels , which may detect illnesses earlier and improve treatment options and outcomes. While some of these tests are not covered by insurance , some providers offer first-responder discounts. Examples include: Blood tests Galleri Test by GRAIL CancerGuard Test by ColonGuard Full-body imaging Inner Imaging (New York City) Ezra (nationwide full-body MRI services) While no test is 100% definitive, they offer additional testing to provide another layer of detection for the annual WTC exams, which provides peace of mind for the Member. Early detection is key in diagnosis and prognosis . Many health savings accounts (HSAs) can be used to cover these costs. Working With Your Physicians Please ensure your physician is familiar with: The WTC certified illness list, and Relevant frequently asked questions (FAQs) These resources are available at www.cdc.gov/wtc/conditions.html Many physicians are unaware of the extent of toxic exposure at Ground Zero. Some WTC-related illnesses do not present symptoms until they are advanced. If your doctor is reluctant to order additional tests based on standard screening guidelines, remind them that you should be considered high risk. You may also contact testing providers directly. Access to Information Current members can access WTC-related resources through the NYSP Division Intranet page. Finally, please share this important information with anyone who may not regularly use electronic communication. It is believed that many individuals remain unaware of these programs and have yet to register.

  • TRI-STATES NEWSLETTER, April 2026

    TRI-STATES NEWSLETTER, April 2026 Our Chapter met on April 8 th  2026 at DiBella’s in Kingston, NY with the following attending: Caridi, Sitler, Harlin, Tom Dunn, Weiboldt, Caufield, Patane, Grabowski, Santopietro, Bob Nuzzo, Brown, Ed Beach, Bob Murphy, Hobart, Vance, Sedita, Gunn, Bill Nuzzo, Fontaine, Dolson, Foster, Warren Reynolds, Sheri Reynolds, Darling, Salvino, Kevin Gardner, Duffy, Cervini, Marek, DiBattista, Hansen. (31 members)    The meeting opened with The Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for our deceased members, military personnel, emergency responders and an opening prayer.   Final Patrol: Noted was the passing of retired Sgt. S/C Gary Wilkerson (Troops F & A), age 81 on 3/13.  Rest In Peace.    Sick Leave: It was good to see retired Sr. Inv. Dave Darling at the meeting after his recent hospitalization.    The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Secretary Greg Sitler.   The following new members were admitted to the Chapter and sworn in at the meeting: Retired Troop F Sgt. Warren Reynolds who retired in July 2007; retired Troop L T/Sgt. Kevin Gardner who retired on 1/30/2026; retired Troop F Records Clerk Sheri Reynolds who retired in October 2020.    Reminder: Jack L. Stein and Miguel A. Escobar Memorial Scholarships:   The Jack L. Stein and Miguel A. Escobar Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $600.00 each are again open to  students graduating from high school this June and going on to higher education . The winners will be chosen by random drawing at our May 13, 2026 meeting, and awarded at our June 10, 2026 meeting. To apply, the student must submit a 3 X 5 card with the following: Name, address, telephone, high school graduating from, the intended institute of higher learning, and the member related to. Mail the card in an envelope to AFNYSP P. O. Box 112 New Hampton, NY 10958. The deadline for receipt is May 1, 2026. Applicants must be a child or grandchild of a Chapter member, or of an active sworn member of Troop "F" or Troop "T", Zone one.               Memorial services for Dennis Marsh at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis:             Visitation this Friday April 10 th,  4-7PM. Services on Saturday April 11 th,  11AM followed by Reception at Goshen NY Trotter Museum.   Congratulations to new Troop F Commander, Major Christopher Kyle, former Zone 3 Commander. Thanks to Fred and Linda Gunn for their generous monetary contribution to the Chapter.   The 50/50 was won by Marty Hansen. The attendance award was won by Dan Brown.   The next regular meeting will be on Wednesday May 13, 2026 at Delancey’s in Goshen, NY.

bottom of page