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A dozen local ambulance companies and fire departments will flash their vehicles’ emergency lights in unison at noon today to honor a state trooper and call attention to the dangers of distracted driving.
The red and blue flashing lights will flicker for a one minute — to coincide with the time that New York State Police Trooper Joseph Gallagher is scheduled to be laid to rest in West Seneca, near Buffalo. Gallagher died March 26 from injuries he sustained when he was hit three-plus years ago by a distracted driver.
“We hope that this act will not only show our appreciation of Trooper Gallagher’s service and our solidarity with the Law Enforcement, but also bringing community awareness to the dangers of driving while distracted,” reads a statement put out by Sayville-based Community Ambulance Company and South Country Ambulance Company in Brookhaven.
Police cited driving while distracted as the reason Gallagher was struck while assisting a disabled motorist on a Sagtikos Parkway overpass in Commack on Dec. 18, 2017. The trooper sustained traumatic brain injuries.
Here are the other local ambulance companies participating:
- Bay Shore Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance
- Exchange Ambulance of the Islips
- Medford Ambulance Company
- Port Jefferson Ambulance
- Patchogue Ambulance
- Mastic Beach Ambulance
- Manorville Community Ambulance
- Bellport Fire Department
- Brookhaven Fire Department
- Hagerman Fire Department
“We are all truly indebted to the sacrifices that all our law enforcement, Fire and EMS make to serve and protect our citizens,” read the ambulance companies’ statement. “Going forward we wish to continue this show of support and respect anytime a Law Enforcement, Fire, or EMS member of service in Suffolk County passes away in the line of duty.”
You can click here for more obituary information about Joseph Gallagher.
