Today, hundreds of people will gather at the entrance to the New York State Thruway to honor the lives of two police officers and a security guard who were tragically killed during the infamous 1981 Brinks robbery.
The annual ceremony, now in its 43rd year, pays tribute to Nyack police Sgt. Edward O’Grady, Officer Waverly “Chipper” Brown, and Brinks security guard Peter Paige, who were all murdered in the violent heist.
A Look Back at the 1981 Brinks Robbery
On October 20, 1981, a group of self-proclaimed revolutionaries carried out a deadly robbery at the Nanuet National Bank located at the Nanuet Mall. During the heist, Brinks security guard Peter Paige was fatally shot, and his partner, Joseph Trombino, was seriously injured. The criminals stole $1.6 million from the Brinks armored truck before fleeing the scene.
Less than an hour later, as police searched for the robbers, officers set up a roadblock at the Thruway entrance near Nyack. While questioning drivers, gunmen suddenly emerged from the back of a U-Haul truck, killing Sgt. O’Grady and Officer Brown, and wounding Detective Arthur Keenan and Officer Brian Lennon.
The gang responsible, known as “The Family,” included members of the Black Liberation Army, along with anti-Vietnam War and civil rights activists from the 1960s and 1970s. The group had been involved in multiple armed robberies of financial institutions and armored cars in the region. A joint FBI and local police task force eventually apprehended many of the individuals involved, leading to numerous arrests and convictions.
Details of Today’s Brinks Memorial Ceremony
This afternoon, a memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. at the pocket park on Mountainview Avenue, the same time the deadly shootings occurred in 1981. The ceremony will take place at the stone memorial, which includes flags and a granite bench, located near the site of the tragic event. During the service, the Thruway exit will be temporarily closed.
Haverstraw Town Police Chief John Gould, who assumed the role earlier this year, will serve as the keynote speaker. Gould has served in law enforcement for nearly two decades and is expected to address the importance of remembering the fallen officers.
The event typically draws a large crowd of police officers, family members, and local residents. The ceremony features a police honor guard, a wreath-laying, the playing of “Taps,” a rifle salute, and performances of the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
This solemn gathering serves as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives protecting the community during one of the most notorious crimes in Rockland County’s history.