A sailboat capsizes on the Hudson River. A vessel collides with the base of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Pulling her vehicle over suddenly on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, a woman contemplating suicide climbs the railing.
What do these scenarios have in common? Local law enforcement officers have responded to all of these bridge-related emergencies. On Oct. 25, 11 law enforcement and military leaders were honored for their efforts to keep Hudson Valley bridges safe.
The New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) held the ceremony at its Highland headquarters. Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson emphasized the importance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies. “Many times we get called to the bridges from other agencies,” he said. The bridge authority gave the sheriff’s office a boat for patrols. His office answers bridge or river-related calls “24 hours a day.”
“If the bridge authority needs anything, we’re at their mercy from Rhinecliff to Bear Mountain (bridges),” he said.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s office has been patrolling the Hudson River since the 1970s and now keeps two boats – one in Kingston and another in Saugerties – for the purpose. “It’s always nice to be honored,” said Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum, one of seven sheriffs recognized along with state and military river patrols.
Honored were: Captain O’Brien, Jr., United States Coast Guard; Major Edward Raso, New York State Police Marne Unit; Major Kenneth Rogers, New York State Police Aviation Unit; Col. Gregory Steward, New York State Park Police; Sheriff David Harrison Jr., Columbia County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson, Dutchess County Sheriff’s River Patrol, Sheriff Richard Hussey, Greene County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Sheriff Carl Dubois, Orange County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Sheriff Donald Smith, Putnam County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Sheriff James Kralik, Rockland County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum, Ulster County Sheriff’s River Patrol; Chief of Police Eric Paolilli, City of Newburgh Marine Unit.