Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) hosted a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 19, to dedicate a portion of Route 69 in the village of Whitesboro to late Police Officer Kevin F. Crossley. She was joined by Senator Joseph Griffo, members of local town and village police agencies, representatives of New York State Police, as well as officer Crossley’s family.

“Officer Kevin Crossley tragically lost his life protecting the place he grew up and loved, and he will forever be remembered as a hero in our community,” Buttenschon said. “No words can describe how grateful we are for his bravery and service, or the sadness we feel for his family and friends. This dedication is just a small way of showing our appreciation and will ensure that his memory never fades.”

Officer Kevin F. Crossley was a seven-year veteran of the Whitesboro Police Department and a lifelong village resident. He lost his life in the line of duty on April 11, 2018, in a crash at the intersection of Oriskany Boulevard and Westmoreland Street.[1]

Earlier this year, Buttenschon sponsored and helped pass a law renaming part of Oriskany Boulevard in Whitesboro as the “Officer Kevin F. Crossley Memorial Highway” (Ch. 101 of 2019). Officer Crossley’s family and the Whitesboro Police Department were among those who attended the ceremony, which took place near the highway.

“Officer Crossley was a dedicated police officer in the Village of Whitesboro who was passionate about helping others,” Deputy Minority Leader Griffo said. “This designation will help us to remember the life and career of Officer Crossley and never forget the ultimate sacrifice that he made while serving his community and the region.”

“A sincere thank you to Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and her staff for making this tribute to Officer Crossley happen,” said former Whitesboro Police Department Chief Nick Hiffa. “It is a true honor dedicating part of Oriskany Blvd in Officer Crossley’s name.”

“We are humbled and honored for the dedication for Kevin,” said Linda Crossley, Kevin Crossley’s mother. “Kevin is surely looking down smiling and honored. All he wanted to be since he was a small child was a police officer. We thank Assemblywoman Buttenschon and Senator Griffo for working so hard to pass this bill.”

[1]wktv.com/content/news/Police-provide-details-on-Whitesbroro-crash-that-killed-Officer-Kevin-Crossley-479545863.html