There’s an expression often used to describe working in law enforcement: The job is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror.

What this means is that while a New York state trooper is engaged in routine daily tasks — making traffic stops, writing tickets, answering non-emergency calls — something can, at any time, suddenly go sideways, turning a previously mundane moment into a potentially deadly one.

The unpredictable nature of the job is both a blessing and a curse. It’s what makes our profession exciting and fulfilling, offering the opportunity to truly help others and serve the community. But it also presents the possibility of significant and life-altering consequences.

Every day, troopers show up to work prepared to protect and serve regardless of the circumstances. A critical incident — one in which deadly force is deployed in the process of carrying out our duties — is something we do our best to avoid but can occur at any time.

The mental and physical impact of these incidents can take weeks, months, or even years to recover from. Just a few weeks ago in Chemung County, a young trooper responded to

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