Rockland County commemorated the 42nd anniversary of the tragic Brink’s truck heist with an annual memorial on Friday, paying tribute to the lives tragically cut short in the notorious 1981 robbery.
The infamous incident unfolded when a band of left-wing radicals made away with $1.6 million after robbing a Brink’s truck at the Nanuet Mall. The robbery resulted in the death of Brink’s guard, Peter Paige. The ordeal intensified as the culprits ambushed the pursuing law enforcement, leading to the deaths of Nyack Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly “Chipper” Brown.
Three main culprits behind the heist, David Gilbert, Kathy Boudin, and Judith Clark, faced arrest and subsequent conviction. Although all have since been released, Boudin has passed away.
As a solemn tradition, loved ones and residents gather every year to honor the memory of O’Grady, Brown, and Paige. “People come here every year. They don’t just attend out of habit; it’s a deep-seated commitment in our community to remember and to ensure we never forget,” said Constance Frazier, Officer Waverly “Chipper” Brown’s cousin.
In a move that further solidifies the county’s dedication to remembering the victims, Lydecker Street in Nyack was renamed in honor of O’Grady and Brown just ahead of this year’s memorial.
