LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the tragic and untimely death of New
York State Trooper David W. Cunniff on Tuesday, December 17, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to convey its grateful
appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of a coura-
geous police officer who dedicated his purposeful life and career in
faithful service to his family, community and the New York State Police;
and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this Legislative Body
records the passing of 35 year-old New York State Trooper David W.
Cunniff, of Princetown, New York, who made the ultimate sacrifice on
Tuesday, December 17, 2013, while faithfully executing his responsibil-
ities, serving the people of New York State with dedication, loyalty and
compassion, and who devoted his purposeful life and career to serve and
protect; and
WHEREAS, Born in Schenectady, New York, David W. Cunniff attended
Schenectady Christian School; he was home schooled during high school
and graduated from the Bryant & Stratton Business Entrepreneurship
Program; and
WHEREAS, A 2004 graduate of the New York State Police Academy, David
W. Cunniff was proud to be a Trooper and shared his remarkable people
skills in every encounter; and
WHEREAS, Along with his soul mate and beloved wife of 14 years, Amy,
together they were chapter leaders for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA),
raising money for treatment and cure after their son Caleb was diagnosed
with this degenerative neuro-muscular disease in 2009; Dave and Amy
worked diligently to advocate for those in need in the SMA community;
and
WHEREAS, Trooper David W. Cunniff was a talented musician and an
active member of the worship team at Grace Fellowship, Latham, New York;
he played the electric guitar among numerous other instruments; he was
also an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting; and
WHEREAS, Trooper David W. Cunniff, a Trooper for nine years was most
recently assigned to Troop T's Fonda-Fultonville barracks; previously he
worked in Troop B and Troop G, and was a member of the Executive
Services Detail at the New York State Capitol, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Along with his beloved wife, Amy, and their sons, Caleb, 6,
and Zachary, 4, Trooper David W. Cunniff is survived by his parents,
Kenneth D. and Deborah Lanphear Cunniff; sisters and brothers-in-law,
Lynn and John G. Nuzback, Sarah and Matthew Reinemann, and Christine and
Shaun McDonald; his grandmother, Beverly Lanphear; father and mother-in-
law, Paul and Linda Hobson; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces
and nephews; as well as many friends and associates at the New York
State Police; and
WHEREAS, Trooper David W. Cunniff lived his life with great dignity
and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and continuing concern
for the welfare of others in the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Trooper David W. Cunniff
leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and
will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; he
will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of New York State Trooper David W. Cunniff,
noting the significance of his contributions on behalf of the citizens

of this noble Empire State, and expressing its deepest condolences to
his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Trooper David W. Cunniff.