Technical Sergeant John M. Grassia III, was killed in a helicopter crash on March 8, 2024.  He was serving as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, and UH-60M Pilot, assigned to patrol the U.S. Mexico border, while deployed with the Army National Guard. 

Technical Sergeant Grassia had previously served with the Army National Guard in Kuwait from 2013 through 2014.

Technical Sergeant Grassia joined the State Police on April 4, 2022.  He was assigned to Troop K, SP Livingston prior to being deployed. While serving his deployment, he was transferred to Troop G, SP Fonda. He was then posthumously promoted to Technical Sergeant and transferred to Division Aviation in Albany, NY on March 26, 2024.

Technical Sergeant Grassia was 30 years old at the time of his death.  He is survived by his parents and his two sisters.