Hochul directs flags to half-staff to honor New York State Parks employee Aaron J. Peters

Flags to be flown at half-staff on Jan. 24

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation employee Aaron J. Peters.

Peters, a member of the regional sawyer crew, was fatally injured Jan. 17 while involved in tree removal at Golden Hill State Park in Niagara County.

“Aaron Peters’ tragic death reminds us that New York state employees often put themselves in harm’s way while working to improve the safety of their fellow citizens and colleagues,” Hochul said. “He will not be forgotten by his friends and family, and my heart goes out to all of those whose lives he touched.”

Peters worked at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for three years, and served on the regional ropes access team and sawyer crew. He had deep family ties to the state park system. He was the son of recently retired Niagara Region Deputy General Manager Ron Peters and Jennifer Ray, who recently left the regional business office.