Incident
Trooper Paul Ashburn was killed when a tractor-trailer struck him and the vehicle he had stopped for a traffic infraction on the New York Thruway, approximately 10 miles south of Rochester. He had issued the driver a warning and was speaking to her when his head was struck by the mirror on the passing truck. The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with negligent homicide but was acquitted. Trooper Ashburn had served with the New York State Police for four years. He was survived by his wife, infant daughter, parents, and siblings. His younger brother also became a New York State trooper. He was assigned Trooper Ashburn's badge upon graduation from the academy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, infant daughter, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-41FAB144- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Ashburn gave the New York State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Ashburn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Paul Ashburn is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York State Police, 94 of 171 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 55% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Ashburn's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Ashburn Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Ashburn is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
170 officers from New York State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















