According to State Police, the trooper who shot and killed a man in Columbia County has retired from his job.
On September 11, Hillsdale resident James Dellea was murdered by Brian Rudolph. According to detectives, Dellea had been threatening to hurt himself. He led police on a low-speed pursuit from Malta’s Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Route 9 to Bethel Saratoga Church’s parking area.
When Dellea aimed a gun at troopers and defied orders to exit the vehicle, Rudolph shot him.
Rudolph had served with the New York State Police for 23 years. According to State Police, Rudolph made the decision to resign on his own initiative and had nothing to do with any disciplinary action.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dellea’s family held a vigil in Copake Park. Following certain personal traumas, Dellea, a well-known stock car driver, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Over the previous three years, he had lost his day-old grandchild, two siblings, and both of his parents.