The State Troopers PBA is thankful and relieved that Trooper Amanda Reif, who was shot in upstate New York yesterday while responding to a domestic disturbance, is recovering at a Burlington, Vt. hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

Reif, a nearly five-year veteran of the State Police, was shot in the shoulder by a suspect. She was able to return fire, killing the suspect. The 29-year-old Trooper is stationed at the barracks at SP Canton in Troop B.

The entire State Troopers PBA family wishes Reif the best in her recovery. The PBA is assisting Reif and her family, with PBA President Daniel M. De Federicis and other PBA representatives responding to the scene and hospital.

“In the past 15 months, the public has seen how dangerous and unpredictable the job of a New York State Trooper is, and for that matter, the job of all law enforcement officers,” said PBA First Vice President Thomas Mungeer. “New York State Troopers serve proudly and bravely and put their lives on the line every day in the name of public safety. We are thankful that Trooper Reif is alive and will recover.”

Since March 2006, the New York State Troopers have suffered the loss of six Troopers in the line of duty, including four who were killed by gunfire. Additionally, five Troopers were shot and wounded during this time period.

One of the PBA’s most important responsibilities is to fight for the safety of our members. The PBA strongly advocated for the purchase of more powerful weapons to better protect our members. In late 2006, the Division of State Police announced the purchase of Glock, model .45-GAP firearms for our members, and our members received those weapons earlier this year.

“Criminals are better armed than ever before, and the need for updated and more powerful weapons was paramount to the safety of our Troopers,” Mungeer said.

The PBA would also like to thank the following for their assistance during this

difficult time: Reif’s fellow Troopers; the Potsdam Police Department; the Burlington, Vt. Police Department; the Vermont State Police; Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vt.; Canton-Potsdam Hospital; and New York State Police Superintendent Preston Felton.

More than 6,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major are represented by the State Troopers PBA.