NEW CITY, NY – Law enforcement officers, elected leaders, and families gathered Monday to mark 44 years since the Brinks armored truck robbery, one of Rockland County’s darkest days and among the most infamous domestic terror attacks in New York history.
The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office led the ceremony honoring the memories of Nyack Police Sgt. Edward O’Grady, Officer Waverly Brown, and Brinks guard Peter Paige.
Their lives were taken on October 20, 1981, when armed members of a radical militant group ambushed a Brinks truck outside the Nanuet Mall, killing Paige and later gunning down responding officers in a violent escape attempt.
Key Points
- The 1981 Brinks robbery claimed the lives of Brinks guard Peter Paige and Nyack officers Edward O’Grady and Waverly Brown
- Monday’s ceremony in Rockland County honored the victims’ courage and sacrifice
- The robbery, carried out by members of the Weather Underground and Black Liberation Army, remains a defining tragedy in county history
Remembering a day of chaos and loss
The morning of October 20, 1981, began as routine for Brinks guards Peter Paige and Joseph Trombino as they delivered cash to the Nanuet National Bank. Moments later, their armored truck was ambushed by gunmen who opened fire, killing Paige and wounding Trombino before escaping with $1.6 million.
Within an hour, Nyack Police set up a roadblock near the New York State Thruway to intercept the suspects. As officers stopped a U-Haul truck believed to be carrying the robbers, gunmen burst out of the vehicle and unleashed a hail of bullets. Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly Brown were killed instantly; Detective Arthur Keenan and Officer Brian Lennon were wounded but survived.
Ceremony honors fallen heroes
At Monday’s remembrance, local officials and community members stood in silence to honor the three men who lost their lives in the line of duty. Law enforcement representatives from across the region placed wreaths in their memory, while family members shared brief reflections on their courage and service.
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said the attack remains “a painful reminder of the cost of protecting our communities.” He praised the fallen officers and guard as “heroes who faced unthinkable violence with bravery and duty.”
Legacy of the 1981 attack
The Brinks robbery led to one of the largest manhunts in New York history and resulted in multiple arrests and convictions of members affiliated with radical extremist groups, including the Weather Underground and the Black Liberation Army. The case remains a defining moment in both local and national law enforcement history.
Enduring impact on Rockland County
Each year, Rockland County law enforcement gathers to honor O’Grady, Brown, and Paige at memorials in Nyack and Nanuet. For many residents, the anniversary serves as both a moment of remembrance and a testament to the risks faced daily by police officers and first responders.
Officials said the names of the fallen will continue to be honored for generations as symbols of service and sacrifice in Rockland County.