Trooper Robert VanHall, Jr.

Police officer put their lives on the line every day. Unfortunately, there are times when officers make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for the state of New York. We want to make sure those officers who have Fallen are not Forgotten.

This week we salute Investigator Robert VanHall, Jr who died on December 5, 1980, at the age of 35.

Trooper VanHall, Jr. was assigned to the Troop "E" Narco Squad.  He and his partner were about to arrest two brothers on East Market Street in the City of Corning for trafficking cocaine and marijuana. Investigator VanHall was a passenger in an unmarked State Police car which was struck by the wanted subjects as they tried to elude arrest. Investigator VanHall, unable to exit his vehicle, was shot through the passenger window with a double-barreled shotgun. .

Investigator VanHall was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Green Berets before joining the Division of State Police..

If you know an officer who should be remembered in our 'Fallen But Not Forgotten' series email Don.Wagner@townsquaremedia.com.

[Source New York State Police]