Trooper Andrew J. "AJ" Sperr

Trooper Sperr, i'm sorry for what happened to you on that day 19 years ago, as it should've never happened, as your death was cruel in every aspect. The cowards who took your lives should've never done what they did that day, but as it turns out, they were already at a bad start from the beginning. First off, they were already up to no good as they had robbed a bank and put other people's lives in danger, and then later on had the audacity to harm you and take your life, which makes no sense. How desperate can one person be to not only steal money instead of working for it like anyone else, and then end up going on to hurt a trooper as a result of their actions? Though you were unaware they had robbed a bank prior at the time, i think that some things could've been different that day, had there been another officer there to assist you. But in the end, you never backed down as you put up a good fight and fought till the end, as you returned fire and shot them both. On a good note, they didn't get away like they thought they did, as they were both caught and sealed away from society as they both got life in prison for what they did not only at the bank, but to you as they were clearly selfish and unruly to do such a thing to another human being. Although the state of New York doesn't have the death penalty, i think it should've been different and that the men who took your life should've been put down ages ago, as the only purpose they had was causing fear and trouble to those around them. It doesn't make sense to me, and i'm sure it doesn't make sense to anyone else, but it doesn't make sense to why people think that if they harm a police officer or Trooper, they think that they can get away with it and they won't have repercussions for their actions.Although i can't personally give a good enough answer, the only one i can think of is that they choose to do it because they're selfish, and they don't think about the actions of their consequences or what they're doing that'll effect not just them, but the families of those they harm. They not only murdered a trooper, but they took away a son, a brother, and a man who was sent by God to protect and serve the citizens of the state of New York. But what i do know now is that you're now up with God and in heaven, as you're now apart of his army of warrior angels that protect and defend those who can't fight back. For one thing, it takes alot to not only become a state trooper, but to also serve for 10 years. That means you spent 10 years of your lifetime protecting and serving the people of New York, meaning that you knew each day when you got up in the morning, you'd come across any challenge or danger that came your way, and i'd like to believe you faced it head on and didn't back down, and even in your last moments it shows that you fought until the very end, and if that doesn't describe a fraction of your strength and bravery, i'm not sure what will, because you were a fighter and possibly one of the bravest Troopers to ever do it. You not only got into a gunfight with 2 men who wanted nothing more than to cause trouble, but you were able to wound both gunmen and fight, although i think it should've been different and you should've won, but we can't change the past or the decisions God chooses to make when it comes down to situations like this. I'm not sure if things will ever change when it comes down to those who choose to harm police, but as i mentioned earlier, they do it because they're selfish and their minds are far too gone. There's more than just one answer, and i think a few is that most individuals who harm police are fueled with so much anger and wrath that it causes them to spiral out of control, and it gets to the point that they lose themselves in the process. However, despite that, i'd like to shift into the positive light of things. For one, i think you were someone that people could meet and would know later on that they could trust you with your profession as a Trooper, though i believe that even when you weren't in uniform and you weren't out there protecting and serving the public, i think that you were still the same person that would give up their life for a stranger, and in this case you gave your life, the ultimate sacrifice to the people of NY, and i'm sure that even years later they appreciate your service and recognize the kind of hero and man you really were, and that your impact is still felt even today. It's good to think and believe that people who lived in NY could safely travel and sleep at night knowing that they had Troopers like you who would bravely and courageously travel the streets, knowing that danger could come out at any given moment, and to be honest, you knew that you would face danger each day you went to work, and like i said before, you knew this and faced it anyway. Becoming a police officer/Trooper isn't somethig that not all people can achieve, and it takes a certain type of person to really put their dedication and the work it takes to truly join the blue family, and with Troopers like you leading the way and showing what it meant to go out and protect and serve, it meant that you inspired others even after your sacrifice, which goes to show that there are people out there you've inspired in death to wanna protect and serve like you did at one point in time. And although you died before i was born that same year, i'm pretty sure even i could've had the honor to meet you and get to know you, although i personally don't live in New York, but still, that means that even people like me feel inspired by your sacrifice and what you did on that day of March 1st, which was to face danger and never back down, even if you lose in the end, because at the end of the day the moral lesson is to always put up a fight in the face of danger when challenged, and you Mr. Sperr faced it directly and fought till the very end of your life, and you should've received more than what you already had because the ultimate sacrifice is one that not many have the courage to do, as it takes a certain breed of people who are willing to face danger and don't cower in the eyes of evil, as you must never make peace with evil, other than to destroy it, like it says in "Romans 12:21" on overcoming evil with good. It's been a long road for 19 years, and alot of things changed since you passed. For one, a memorial park was named after you and a tribute stone was put there to show all who visit on why it's there. That means that your memory is still alive, and that your name is forever going to be etched in the park and keep your name alive, along with the fact it is your final resting place, which i honestly think is beautiful and unique since you're the only one who is buried in the park, which is good. I think that within those 10 years of being a NY state trooper, you were able to make more than just a name of yourself as your legacy and impact is felt even today, and even now as i'm writing this i'm in thought about the fact on what you did that day was heroic, and you deserve to be honored in every way one can think of. Before your sacrifice, i believe that when you spent that long as a trooper and you made sure that everyone can go home safely, i think that you made far more than just any other impact. The kind of impacts where it involves the fact that an officer gave his life for his community is one that deserves to be talked about and discussed within generations almost if you will. One thing i do believe is that one day your killers will receive their true sentence, which is death. I don't wish death on them, but i do know that for what they did that day and how they took your life, it's safe to say that they should've been put down much sooner for what they did that day as a result of their actions. Sure they rot in their cell for the rest of their life and never come out, but at the end of the day they will have a special spot in hell for them, because they didn't just murder a Trooper, but they killed one of God's men, one of God's soldiers sent on earth to protect and serve the public. As of now, may you rest in peace knowing that your service is deeply cherished, and that your name will never be forgotten nor less spoken of, as you're a sign of what it means to fight against evil and don't back down in fear. I believe that as long as your name is said and you're remembered, you aren't truly dead as you will live on in the hearts and minds of others, and that even people who've never met you have a spot in their hearts for you with who you were, and what you did as a public servant. Rest Well Mr. Sperr.

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

August 30, 2025