WURTSBORO — It has been 28 years since New York State Trooper Nathaniel Burroughs responded to a stranded motorist on Route 17’s Wurtsboro Mtn. during a terrible winter storm.

On that fateful day – Friday, February 14, 1997 at 11:15 a.m. – while Trooper Burroughs was in the median assisting the motorist, a tractor trailer jack-knifed, flipped on its side and crashed into the State Police cruiser and stranded vehicle.

Trooper Burroughs, who was a veteran of the NYS Police for 10 years and just 30 years of age, was severely injured and later he was pronounced dead upon his arrival by ambulance at Horton Medical Center in Middletown. The stranded motorist was uninjured.

On Friday, February 14, 2025 – at exactly 11:15 a.m. – nearly two dozen present and former New York State Troopers gathered at Exit 112 off Route 17 to honor Trooper Burroughs’ memory.

“Atten hut!” NYS Trooper Ed Donohue said as twenty-four Troopers came to attention and saluted the Memorial.

While they stood in the cold winter day, the radio dispatcher then came on and asked for radio silence in honor of Shield #2165 – Nathaniel Burroughs.

“The New York State Police have retired his shield number and car – No. 1F – 17,” Sgt. Donohue said.  

Several retired State Troopers – including Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty and Town of Goshen Police Chief James Post – were in attendance on Friday.

“We invite them to this service every year,” Sgt. Donohue said.

“I was the Troop F Delegate at the time and I was there [at the accident scene],” Chaboty said. “Nate Burroughs and I were classmates at the New State Police Academy.

“They lined us up in alphabetical order to start the day – and I looked at the back of his head every day for six months,” Chaboty said. “He was the best!”

At SP Wurtsboro, a Wall of Honor highlights Trooper Burroughs and several other officers who died in the line of duty.

On Friday, a candle was burning in a small wooden plaque with the New York State Police logo behind it and Nathaniel Burroughs’ name engraved in the front.

And Burroughs’ former fiance brought in a pink rose for the bud vase on the table to honor her loved one on Valentine’s Day.

A tribute to a dedicated trooper who gave his life in service to the protection of others.