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Albert Melendez

Age : 32

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 07/16/2024

Location : Rock Hill Drive

City : Thompson

County : Sullivan

State : New York

Agency : New York State Police

Officer(s) :Trooper Russell T. Peters

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during traffic stop

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/16/2024, New York State Police became involved in a vehicle pursuit after Sullivan County Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Albert Melendez Jr. because the vehicle's registration was suspended. Melendez continued driving while deputies pursued, and New York State Police joined the pursuit after it entered Sullivan County. The chase ended near the intersection of Rock Hill Drive and Emerald Place in Rock Hill.
According to investigators, Melendez stopped his vehicle during the encounter with Trooper Russell T. Peters. As officers attempted to take him into custody, the vehicle moved forward. Trooper Peters fired multiple rounds through the passenger-side window, striking Melendez. Troopers removed Melendez from the vehicle and provided medical aid before he was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation opened an investigation, collecting body-worn camera footage, dashboard camera video, witness interviews, forensic evidence, dispatch recordings, and other investigative materials. Body camera footage later released by authorities showed the final moments of the encounter before the shooting.
On 07/22/2026, the Office of Special Investigation announced that it would not file criminal charges against Trooper Peters. Investigators concluded they could not disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that Peters reasonably believed deadly physical force was necessary under New York law. The report found that prosecutors would be unable to establish at trial that the shooting was unjustified.
Although declining criminal prosecution, the Attorney General's Office recommended that the New York State Police further strengthen and narrow its vehicle pursuit policy. The report stated that high-speed pursuits create substantial risks to the public and encouraged limiting pursuits to circumstances involving the most serious public safety threats. The recommendation followed a review of the events leading to Melendez's death and broader concerns regarding pursuit policies.
The shooting remains one of several fatal New York State Police pursuit cases that prompted renewed scrutiny of pursuit practices and the balance between apprehending fleeing drivers and protecting public safety.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.news10.com/news/crime/police-investigate-thompson-trooper-involved-shooting/?email=b9143188d23a5df1e3b81f20f9fa0f87c14b8d81&emaila=0ad07cbab4132939a35c9505575eb3d1&emailb=d4831e93063521f89bc960a8c379acd0
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/no-charges-police-shooting-albert-melendez-22355655.php
https://ag.ny.gov/osi/press-releases/2026/attorney-general-james-releases-report-death-albert-melendez-jr
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/melendez-state-police-shooting-body-cam-19664304.php
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/rock-hill-state-police-fatal-shooting-19576991.php