On March 1, 2006, New York State Trooper Andrew J. Sperr, a 33-year-old male, was shot and killed in the town of Big Flats, New York. A ten-year veteran of the State Police, he was on duty and assigned to the Horseheads barracks in Troop E. The incident began when Trooper Sperr conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle carrying suspects who had just robbed a bank.
Unaware of the robbery, he approached the vehicle and was ambushed by gunfire from the two occupants.
Despite being mortally wounded, Trooper Sperr managed to return fire, striking both of his assailants. The fatal shot that struck Trooper Sperr entered under his belt and vest while he was on the ground. The suspects fled the scene in a second vehicle they had staged for their getaway. One of the suspects was later apprehended at a local hospital when he sought treatment for his gunshot wounds. The second suspect fled to a motel and eventually called the police for medical assistance, leading to his arrest.
The investigation identified the shooter as Anthony Horton and his accomplice as Bryan Adams. A third individual, Wayne Adams, Bryan's brother, was also implicated for acting as a lookout during the bank robbery. Both Horton and Bryan Adams were charged with aggravated murder and first-degree murder. On September 26, 2006, a jury found Anthony Horton guilty of all charges.
On October 17, 2006, Anthony Horton was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bryan Adams received a sentence of 22 years to life in prison for his conviction on second-degree murder charges. Wayne Adams pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree attempted robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In response to Trooper Sperr's death, the New York State Police transitioned to a larger caliber sidearm.
