Fallen Troopers Honored: 'Our Officers Give Their Finest'

RIVERSIDE, NY — Fallen local heroes were honored in Riverside Thursday with a memorial service and bridge renaming ceremony.

New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio joined with New York State Police, members of the Troopers Memorial Fund, Director Richard Causin, Region 10, Department of Transportation, representatives from Governor Kathy's Hochul's office and the families of fallen Troopers Thomas J. Consorte, Jose A. Rosado and Donald A. Strand for a memorial ceremony at the Riverside barracks.

Last year, the three area lawmakers sponsored and passed legislation to rename area bridges to honor the memory of the fallen troopers and mark the "dangers and sacrifices men and women in law enforcement make in service to the community," they said.

According to Troopers.ny.gov, the three men honored all died while serving the Southampton and Riverhead communities.

On November 23, 1987, while on routine patrol, Trooper Thomas Consorte was involved in a minor accident when another vehicle pulled in front of his troop car in Riverhead, the site said. While outside his vehicle, setting out flares and investigating the accident, Trooper Consorte was struck by a third vehicle, killing him instantly. Trooper Consorte was 24 years old at the time of his death.

Trooper Jose A. Rosado, 45, was killed in a two-car accident on January 24, 2007, in Southampton. While on patrol, Trooper Rosado drove across a black-ice condition causing him to lose control of his troop car and slide sideways into the path of an oncoming vehicle. He was instantly killed as a result of the collision. Trooper Rosado entered the New York State Police on September 19, 1988 and was assigned to Troop L, SP Riverside.

Trooper Donald A. Strand died as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on September 12, 1960. Trooper Strand, on leave, was advised that all leave was canceled due to severe storm conditions resulting from Hurricane Donna and ordered to report for duty. Trooper Strand was en-route to the Bridgehampton Station over North Sea Road when he was involved in a head-on crash. The operator of the other vehicle was killed and Trooper Strand was critically injured. He died on September 28, 1960. Trooper Strand joined the Division June 19, 1958, and served in Troop B prior to his transfer to the Troop K area of Long Island on April 23, 1959. He was assigned to the Bridgehampton Station at the time of his death, the site said.

Under the legislation passed by area lawmakers and signed into law, the following roadways have been renamed to honor the fallen Troopers:·

- The Sunrise Highway Peconic Overpass on Route 27 in Southampton is designated as State Trooper Donald A. Strand Memorial Bridge.

- The Sunrise Highway Speonk Riverhead Road overpass on Route 27 in Southampton is designated as the State Trooper Jose A. Rosado Memorial Bridge.

- The State Route 25 overpass at the Long Island Expressway in Riverhead is designated as the State Trooper Thomas J. Consorte Memorial Bridge.

“Now, more than ever it is important to remember our men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and their brothers and sisters who continue to hold the line," Palumbo said.

Giglio added: "Our officers give their finest day after day protecting our communities, and it serves us all to honor their sacrifices, and memorialize that which they have done for us.”

And, said Thiele: "The service and sacrifices of Officers Thomas J. Consorte, Jose A. Rosado, and Donald A. Strand will forever be remembered by the towns of Southampton and Riverhead."