ALBANY, N.Y. – The death of former State Police Inspector Gary Berwick sent shock waves through the already embattled agency. Berwick reportedly committed suicide at his New Windsor home in Orange County Thursday. The retired State Police Inspector used to head up former Governor Pataki's State Police protection unit.
According to the State Police, Berwick worked with the agency for more than 20 years. He left the security detail shortly after Spitzer took office and worked as a staff inspector in the superintendent's office until he retired in late April of this year.
The State Police would not comment any further on Berwick's death. But in a statement the president of the State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said, "It was devastating news to the State Police family. Gary was universally considered by all troopers a great man, a great person, and a great trooper. The PBA's thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow troopers."
The death of former State Police Inspector Gary Berwick sent shock waves through the already embattled agency.
Berwick was said to be closely connected with his predecessor Dan Wiese, a key figure in the attorney general's State Police probe into an alleged rouge unit of troopers which investigated and compiled damaging information on state lawmakers. Right now, there is no indication that Berwick was a focus of that investigation.
Former State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett knew Berwick and said he has no reason to believe that Berwick may have been tangled in the Troopergate scandal saying right now the focus should be on remembering a great trooper.
"I know of nothing that would point the finger in the direction that either one of them engaged in any kind of misconduct. I had a great deal of respect for him, he was always a gentleman. But the bottom line is, this is a tragedy there's a lot of people that are hurting, their lives have changed and this whole thing is very regrettable,” said Bennett.
Berwick’s former boss, George Pataki, told our Brian Taffe that Andrew Cuomo’s investigation will not turn up any wrongdoing in the State Police while he was governor.
“I can assure you that there was none of these rogue units or political spying that anybody in my administration authorized, approved of, knew of. It just did not happen,” Pataki said.
Pataki also spoke highly of Berwick saying he was very special person who he said he was blessed to have protecting him.
Berwick leaves behind a wife and three daughters.