LETCHWORTH STATE PARK — A decorated New York State trooper died Wednesday after a mishap during a rope rescue training operation in the southern part of the park.
According to New York State Police, Trooper Ross Riley, 44, fell about 30 feet from a ledge into Wolf Creek during a training exercise, striking his head. He was later pronounced dead at Wyoming County Community Hospital.
According to New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. Riley was not tethered during the safety operation, which is a required safety measure. Riley was a 17-year veteran of the state police and a member of the Special Operations Response Team.
Rile is survived by his his wife, and their three daughters.