A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, March 6 for New York State Trooper Andrew J. Sperr, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 1.

In an impressive showing of respect, thousands of law enforcement officers paid tribute to Trooper Sperr at St. Lawrence Church in Greece. In police formation, law enforcement officers, including New York State Troopers, along with representatives from the California Highway Patrol and State Police agencies in Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and numerous municipal police departments, saluted Trooper Sperr’s casket.

The service was televised live on local, Rochester-area stations and was also

Trooper Sperr was killed on March 1 when he pulled over a vehicle in the town of Big Flats, probably not knowing the occupants had allegedly been involved in an earlier bank robbery. Two men are now accused of shooting Trooper Sperr as he stepped out of his patrol vehicle. Although shot a number of times, Trooper Sperr was able to return fire and wounded the two men, who are now facing murder charges. A third accomplice is charged in connection with the robbery.

Following Monday’s Funeral Mass, the State Troopers PBA hosted a gathering for Trooper Sperr’s family and law enforcement officers at the Diplomat Banquet House in Rochester.

The New York State Troopers PBA would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of support during this tragedy, and we appreciate the admiration the public has shown for the incredibly dangerous and unpredictable duties facing Troopers every day. We continue to mourn the loss of Trooper Sperr and we pray for him and his family.