Senate Passes Bill to Honor Fallen North Country Trooper

Stretch of State Highway 812 to be officially named
“Trooper Shawn W. Snow Street”
State Trooper gave his life helping fix a flat tire near

Ogdensburg Prescott-International Bridge

ALBANY (February 9, 2010)—The New York State Senate today took the first step toward officially naming a stretch of State Route 812 in Ogdensburg for fallen State Trooper Shawn W. Snow, who was electrocuted while assisting a driver changing a flat tire on an antique fire truck on August 3, 2008.
“Trooper Snow had a reputation for being not only a great state trooper, but also a great person,” said Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, who introduced the legislation to honor Trooper Snow. “It is a fitting tribute that his giving nature be forever remembered by officially putting his name forever on the stretch of road where he gave his life helping a person in need. It is an honor as a lawmaker to see this piece of legislation pass and know his sacrifice will be remembered.”
“Trooper Snow was a valuable member of the state police, a dedicated officer who was one of the nicest and most giving people anyone has ever met,” said Daniel F. Sisto, 2nd Vice President of the New York State Troopers PBA. “His death was a sad day for the New York State Police, not only because he was one of our own, but because he was one of our best. Passing this bill and eventually naming this stretch of road for Trooper Snow will forever keep his memory alive in the very place where he served so well and gave his life in the line of duty helping a person in need.”
A 19-year-veteran assigned to the commercial vehicle enforcement unit that inspects trucks that have crossed the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, Trooper Snow responded to the flat tire on Route 812 and offered to help replace the fire truck’s tire, which was heading back to Quebec following a parade in Syracuse. The truck’s boom was extended and lowered to redistribute the truck’s weight, when it hit a live wire and killed Trooper Snow and Pierre Surprenant, 51, Lachenaie, Quebec, instantly.
The legislation passed unanimously today would officially designate the stretch of Route 812 from the intersection of Route 37 to the bridge as “Trooper Shawn W. Snow Street” and instruct the state Department of Transportation to recognize it as such with the appropriate signs. The city of Ogdensburg passed a resolution in March 2009 to name the road for Trooper Snow, but since it is state highway, state legislation is required. A companion bill in the Assembly has been assigned to the Transportation Committee.
Fellow officers, friends and family have said they remember trooper snow as a man who lit up the room with his smile, was hard working and dedicated, and earned the respect of all he met. He has been described as a true giver who always wanted to help people. As an officer, he has been remembered as a man who wanted to see people get their lives on track, not just be punished for what they may have done.
Born March 19, 1961 in Canton, NY, Trooper Snow is a graduate of Hermon-DeKalb High School, served in the Navy from 1979 to 1985 and the Coast Guard from 1985 to 1989 before attending the New York State Police Academy. He served briefly in Troops A and K before making his way back home to serve with Troop B in St. Lawrence County since 1990.