NYS Troopers Pay Tribute to Black Women and Men

New York State Troopers paid tribute in February to Black women and men in recognition of Black History Month. One of those individuals was Trooper Kareem B. Washington.

On there Facebook page they wrote: “Today we recognize Trooper Kareem B. Washington. While in middle school, Washington met a friend’s uncle who was a Trooper assigned to Troop L. He liked the way the trooper represented himself and he knew exactly what he wanted to be. Washington wanted to get an education before joining the New York State Police Academy. Prior to joining the State Police, he served in the United States Marine Corps, worked at Ulster County Sheriff’s Corrections, and the City of Kingston Police Department.

“Washington entered the New York State Police Academy in June of 2004. He has served in Troop F at Ellenville, Highland, Kingston, and Middletown. Washington has also been trained as a motorcycle operator and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He received a Superintendent’s Commendation Award in 2018 for his heroic acts on June 17, 2017, when Trooper Washington responded with Troopers Ferstand and Kieckhafer to reports of a suspicious person on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The three troopers approached the woman who stated she was just walking and gave no indication that she was intending to harm herself. With no reason to detain her, they let her continue on her way. As they walked away, they observed the woman climb over the fence and attempt to jump into the river. Trooper Washington and the two other troopers rushed to the woman, and after a struggle, were able to pull her back over the fence to safety. In September of 2022, Trooper Washington assisted officers in saving the life of another individual who was attempting to jump off the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. The man they saved was a suspect in an Ulster County murder. Trooper Washington is also extremely proud of his deployment, and the families and communities he assisted in the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Fiona.

“Trooper Washington believes that ‘if you have a goal, if you have something to achieve, keep striving to do that to the best of your ability.’ We celebrate Trooper Washington and thank him for his service.”