Roll of Honor
Incident
Zone Sergeant Gerald DeGroot was killed when his Troop Car was stuck head on by a vehicle being operated by an 18-year-old intoxicated driver going the wrong way on Leray Street in Watertown. The subject was seriously injured.
The suspect was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide.
The officer had been a member of the New York State Police for 19 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-6831351A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Zone Sergeant DeGroot gave the New York State Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Zone Sergeant DeGroot.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Zone Sergeant Gerald A. DeGroot is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerald A. DeGroot's cause is highlighted.
How Gerald A. DeGroot Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald A. DeGroot is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerald A. DeGroot was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
170 officers from New York State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
