Sergeant Joseph L. Fitzpatrick

Joseph L. Fitzpatrick

Sergeant Joseph Fitzpatrick was killed in a vehicle crash while searching for three escapees from the Onondaga County Penitentiary (current-day Jamesville Correctional Facility).

While traveling on Cherry Valley Turnpike (current-day New York Interstate 20), the driver lost control of their patrol vehicle while going around a sharp curve. The car overturned and went off a 12-foot embankment. Sergeant Fitzpatrick was killed instantly. The trooper suffered minor injuries.

Sergeant Fitzpatrick and the Trooper, who was driving, had been checking cars at a road checkpoint for over 48 hours while searching for the escaped felons.

All three felons were apprehended.

Sergeant Fitzpatrick had served with the New York State Police for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and three young children.