Master Sergeant Joseph Longobardo became a Marine in 1992, served in Pakistan, and five years later joined the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Security Forces Squadron. In the Guard, Longobardo provided security for air base defense missions and helped train and evaluate young soldiers. In 1998 he joined the New York State Police where he served in Troops F and G, last assigned to SP Wilton. As a member of the Mobile Response Team, while conducting surveillance in connection with an escaped convict, Trooper Longobardo and another Trooper were shot from behind with a high powered rifle. Longobardo died of his injuries. The Gray Rider statue outside the State Police Training Academy in Albany bears the words: “Honor, Integrity, Courage, Tradition.” Speaking at Longobardo’s memorial service, New York’s Governor Pataki said, “To Joe Longobardo, those hallmarks of the New York State Police were more than ideals etched on a statue—they were a blueprint for a life well-lived, and Joe lived his well indeed.”