PAPBA News

On May 29, the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride 250 concluded in New York City with a crossing of the George Washington Bridge escorted by the PAPD. Earlier in the day, the PAPD also escorted the ride as it crossed the Goethals and Bayonne bridges. The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride 250, a special edition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S., was a more than 1,000-mile event that began in Jacksonville, Florida, bringing wounded warriors together through camaraderie and cycling. Read More

Rest in peace, Arlington County, Virginia, Police Corporal Barry James Foust (EOW May 22, 2026). Corporal Foust succumbed to a 9/11 illness contracted during his heroic and selfless work in the toxic environment of the Pentagon Rescue and Recovery. He was 64 years old and had served with the Arlington County Police Department for 37 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Barry, rest in the Lord’s eternal embrace. Always Honored, Never Forgotten. Read More

Rest in peace, Carroll County, Virginia, Deputy Sheriff Logan Utt (EOW May 29, 2026). Deputy Utt and another deputy were dispatched to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival, they were met with gunfire. Deputy Utt was fatally shot, while the other deputy was wounded. Deputy Utt had served with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for two years and five months. He is survived by his wife and children. Logan, rest in the Lord’s eternal embrace. Always Honored, Never Forgotten. Read More

Rest in peace, Central Berks, Pennsylvania, Regional Police Department Officer Kristen Yeager (EOW May 29, 2026). Police Officer Yeager was killed in a motor vehicle accident while responding to an emergency in a neighboring jurisdiction. She was 42 years old and a nearly three-year veteran of the Central Berks Regional Police Department. She is survived by her husband and three children. Kristen, rest in the Lord’s eternal embrace. Always Honored, Never Forgotten. Read More

Rest in peace, Taos County, New Mexico, Sheriff’s Sergeant Joseph Apodaca (EOW May 22, 2026). Sergeant Apodaca was on motorcycle patrol while searching for a reckless driver when he was killed in a motor vehicle accident. He was 36 years old and had served with the Taos County Sheriff’s Office for eight years and four months. Sergeant Apodaca is survived by his wife and children. Sarge, rest in the Lord’s eternal embrace. Always Honored, Never Forgotten. Read More

Twenty-four years ago, on May 30, 2002, the World Trade Center 9/11 Rescue and Recovery operations formally came to an end with the removal of the Final Column. The Final Column is topped with “PAPD37,” a tribute to the 37 Port Authority police officers who were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. One of the 47 columns that supported the inner core of the South Tower, it remained intact, embedded in the bedrock beneath the tower. Today, the Final Column stands in the 9/11 Museum as a symbol of the resilience and courage of the 9/11 first responders. Members of every PAPD recruit class that has graduated from the Port Authority Police Academy since September 11, 2001, have taken their oath of office beside the Final Column in the 9/11 Museum. Read More