Niagara Falls & Peace Bridge to be illuminated in blue for fallen officer
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to honor Buffalo Police Department officer Craig Lehner, who died in the line of duty while training with the underwater recovery team.
To commemorate Lehner's life, the Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls will also be illuminated blue on Wednesday evening.
"This exceptional law enforcement officer, who was taken from us far too soon, will always be remembered in Western New York and beyond," Cuomo said. "The family of New York grieves for officer Craig Lehner, who devoted his life to serving and protecting the people of this state, and asks that everyone keep his loved ones and colleagues in their prayers during this difficult time."
"On behalf of our deeply saddened community and state, and as a fellow resident of Buffalo, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of officer Lehner, a true hometown hero," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul added. "His death is a reminder of the daily dangers that law enforcement face in the line of duty. His selfless service to country and community touches all of us in Buffalo and beyond."
At 34-years-old, Lehner was a nine-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department. In addition to serving on the department's underwater recovery team, Lehner worked as a K-9 officer with his partner Shield, a 4-year-old German shepherd. Lehner also served as an Army National Guard military police officer for 16 years, assigned to the 105th military Police Company at Masten Armory in Buffalo. A staff sergeant, he was deployed to Iraq in 2011 and served at Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba in 2014 until 2015. During his time in the service, he was awarded more than a dozen medals, including the Army Commendation Medal, Air Assault Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and five Army Achievement medals.
On the day Lehner is laid to rest, the Peace Bridge will be illuminated in blue along the bridge arches, truss and spine. The lights will commence at dusk on Wednesday, and will continue until 1 a.m. The 176-foot Niagara Falls will also be awash in blue light for 15 minutes, at the top of every hour, from 7-11 p.m. in honor of Lehner.
