Not on Duty at the Time
by Doug La Rocque
Hoosick Falls Police Officer Matthew Waldron succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning, February 15, following an auto-tractor trailer accident on NYS Route 67 in Schaghticoke. According to investigating NYS Troopers, Officer Waldron was traveling eastbound when he struck the rear of the truck. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. Officer Waldron was not on duty at the time. Emergency Services transported Officer Waldron to Troy’s Samaritan Hospital, where he later passed.
Officer Waldron began his career in law enforcement in 2017 when he joined the Mechanicville Police department, where his father Joe was Chief of Police for 17 years. He later transferred to the Hoosick Falls Department, where ironically, he was celebrating his third year there on the day he died.
Hoosick Falls Police Chief Bob Ashe (currently on administrative leave) issued this statement on his Facebook page:
“Matt (as Officer Waldron was referred too), the tears we have today are not tears of sadness, but tears of strength. The strength to carry on as you would through the commitment and loyalty you had for the police department and the residents of Hoosick Falls. Your love for the job created a love for who you are and who you protected. The blue line bent today but did not break.”
Chief Ashe went on to say he was “proud to have been your chief but even prouder to have been your friend.”
Village Mayor Rob Allen issued this statement on behalf of the Village: “We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and to the communities of Mechanicville and Hoosick Falls, who were lucky enough to know him. We ask for prayers and condolences for the family and our officers, and we stand ready to assist and support the family in any way.” Speaking with The Eastwick Press, Mayor Allen said simply, “This has been a day filled with tears.”
Officer Waldron was 25 years of age. Final arrangements are still pending.
