BIG FLATS, N.Y. -- It's been nearly five months since New York State Trooper David Brinkerhoff was shot in the head and killed during a standoff in the Catskills.
"He didn't have an ego that allowed him to focus on himself. He was out there to help people," Michael Brinkerhoff, the brother of Trooper David Brinkerhoff, said.
And now, in the Town of Big Flats, more than 150 miles west of where his life came to an abrupt end, State Police are remembering Brinkerhoff and four other fallen New York State Troopers by dedicating plaques inside Memorial Park.
"Dave visited a lot of parks when he was around. To be able to walk the dogs through the park, or take a kayak or a canoe out in the pond, he'd enjoy that," Brinkerhoff said.
One year ago Sunday, Trooper Andrew Sperr had his name immortalized at Memorial Park in Big Flats. That's the spot where he was shot to death by two bank robbers in March of 2006. And now, as our Aaron Goldstein reports, those troopers who follow Sperr's unfortunate fate will have their names right beside his.
Exactly one year ago, this park was dedicated to Andrew Sperr, a 10-year veteran of the New York State police force. Before that, all that sat here was an empty parking lot, but now Sperr's family is honored to be able to share this space with the troopers who have fallen since Sperr's death.
"He would be proud. He would be extremely proud of what they have done here in his memory," A.J. Sperr Sr., Andrew Sperr's father, said."
What they have done is created plaques with the names of Craig Todeschini, John McKenna, Joseph Longobardo, Jose Rosado, and David Brinkerhoff.
The plaques will be placed on benches throughout the park.
"All of these other victims of crimes, in some cases should be remembered too," Sperr said.
"I think the ultimate goal is to not forget, to not forget the sacrifice these gentlemen made, being killed in the line of duty," Trooper Paul Campbell of the New York State Police said.
And with that goal in mind, state police say they will create a plaque inside Memorial Park for every state trooper and for every law enforcement officer from Chemung County who is killed in the line of duty.
During the ceremony, A.J. Sperr Sr. called on New York lawmakers and Governor Spitzer to pass a law that would institute the death penalty for people convicted of killing state troopers.