By Eileen Buckley & Bert Gambini
Buffalo, NY – Governor David Paterson says it was with great sadness that he learned of the death of State Trooper Jill Mattice. Mattice is the first female state trooper to ever die in the line of duty.
The 31 year old veteran was died on duty when in a head-on collision with a tractor trailer. The accident happened about 200 miles from Buffalo on Route 23 in the Town of Morris.
In a written statement, the Governor said the state is humbled by her service. Paterson noted that she was assigned to the State Police Duty Station in Oneonta. She served as a Resource Officer for two schools. Paterson says the community was enhanced by her service. The Governor extended his deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
State Police say there will be a news conference to discuss the accident at 1:30 p.m Thursday at Troop C Headquarters in Sidney, New York.
Mattice grew up as Jill Farrar. She was from Cheektowaga and graduated in 1996 from Cleve-Hill High school.