In Memory of Trooper James J. Monda
On Sunday, August 22, 2021, New York State Police announced to residents that they had lost a veteran officer in an accident. Trooper James J. Monda, age 45, drowned during a training exercise at approximately 4:00 pm. He had been serving the residents of New York as a law enforcement officer for more than 18 years.
Trooper Monda was participating in a training dive. The training exercise was held in the Great Sacandaga Lake in Northampton, New York. Monda was training for a patrol detail on the lake. After entering the water near a boat launch on Bunker Hill Road, Trooper Monda failed to resurface.
Monda was not officially a member of the State Police Dive Team. However, he had been training to dive and was working conjunctively with another expert diving officer in the underwater recovery team.
It was determined that Trooper Monda drowned in nine feet of water. His diving partner immediately searched for him when he did not resurface. An investigation is underway to determine why he drowned. It was shown that there were no other underlying medical issues, so the research focuses on equipment failures and other causes.
New York State Police
Trooper James J. Monda served with the New York State Police Department. The agency employs more than 5000 sworn officers and about 700 civilian employees. The New York State Executive Department manages the state police.
The New York State Police was initiated 103 years ago in 1917. Many states began a state highway patrol force around this time due to the growing popularity of the automobile. The state police patrol the highways and provide law enforcement protection for the entire state of New York. Officers are responsible for patrolling an area of more than 54,000 square miles. The nearly 6000 employees of the agency provide police services to almost 19.5 million people.
Remembrances
Trooper James J. Monda leaves behind his fiancé and parents.
The Menands Police Department shared condolences on their social media pages. “The Menands Police Department is saddened to learn of the passing of a New York State Trooper James J. Monda while working as part of a marine detail on the Great Sacandaga Lake on Sunday. Our thoughts are with the New York State Police as well as the family and friends of Trooper Monda during this difficult time.”
Pittsburgh Police Local 812 shared in the grief and loss of Trooper Monda. “We have learned that the Trooper that passed away was named James J. Monda. Trooper Monda was an 18-year veteran of the New York State Police. Trooper Monda briefly served in Troop B, which is this area of the state, so it is likely he worked alongside our members before he transferred to Troop G. Please keep Trooper Monda’s family and friends in your prayers.
We stand with our brothers and sisters of the New York State Police as they mourn the loss of one of their own. Tragically, a Trooper passed away in the line of duty while conducting a marine detail on Great Sacandaga Lake. Details of the incident, as well as the Trooper’s name, are being withheld; nevertheless, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Trooper’s family, their friends, and their colleagues as they struggle with this tragedy.”
The Schenectady Police Department was saddened by the news and offered department resources to those who need them. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the New York State Police as they mourn the loss of one of their own, as well as with his family and friends. Our Peer Support Team is here to help any Troopers who may need assistance.”
