Oct. 21, 2017
Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Join Law Enforcement at Brinks Commemoration

NYACK, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day joined hundreds of law enforcement members and residents to mark the 36th anniversary of the Brinks robbery that left two Nyack police officers and a security guard dead.

"The people of Rockland County will always remember the heroic sacrifice made by our members of law enforcement who stood their ground to protect Rockland County from domestic terrorists,"  Rockland County Executive Day said.

The annual commemoration was held at the entrance to the New York State Thruway in Nyack where Nyack Sgt. Edward O'Grady and Officer Waverly "Chipper" Brown were gunned down by domestic terrorists on Oct. 20, 1981. A monument in their honor was erected there.

Brinks armed guard Peter Paige was shot and killed earlier that day by the same group at the Nanuet mall. To watch part of the ceremony go here or: https://www.facebook.com/rocklandgov/videos/1445854985492411/

Peter Paige's son, Michael, spoke at the memorial and thanked the Rockland community for remembering and honoring his father.

Sgt. O'Grady's widow, Diane, also addressed the crowd. She urged support to keep convicted Brinks criminals in prison. To hear her speak go here or: https://www.facebook.com/rocklandgov/videos/1445877268823516/

The keynote speaker at the memorial was Michael Greco, a Rockland resident who heads the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District in New York, which includes Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Orange counties.

Members of the Rockland County PBA, the Police Chief's Association and others also spoke during the ceremony.

Former Sheriff James Kralik, who died in July, as well as former Nyack Officer Brian Lennon, who was wounded during the Brinks robbery and shoot-out and recently died, were also remembered. A police dog named in his honor was introduced.