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Homicide Of Former Schools Administrator Off I-84 Remains Mystery

More than two decades after the fatal shooting of a Hudson Valley school district educator, state police continue investigating the curious circumstances behind his death.

Richard Aderson

Richard Aderson

Photo Credit: New York State Police
A sketch of the suspect involved in Aderson's shooting.

A sketch of the suspect involved in Aderson's shooting.

Photo Credit: New York State Police
Aderson's vehicle

Aderson's vehicle

Photo Credit: New York State Police

State police from the Wappinger barracks continue to investigate the homicide of 47-year-old LaGrange resident Richard Aderson, who was shot during a verbal dispute turned physical following a fender bender on I-84 in Fishkill in 1997.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5 that year, troopers were dispatched near exit 12, when Aderson contacted authorities to alert them that he had been shot. According to police, Aderson, a former assistant superintendent in Valley Central, was driving his 1995 Volvo when he got into a small accident approximately four miles east of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge toll plaza.

Both vehicles pulled over to the side of the road, where police say a verbal dispute broke out. Aderson called Dutchess County police and reported that he had been shot by the second man, who subsequently fled east on I-84. Aderson was able to provide first responders with information about the suspect and his vehicle before he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh.

Police described the suspect as a 6-foot white male in his late 40s or early 50s, with a medium completion and thin build. He was operating a late model Jeep Cherokee that may have had New Hampshire license plates.

State police note that Aderson’s death continues to be actively investigated, and more than 3,000 leads have been followed throughout the investigation, which has included members of law enforcement across New England.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation can contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Wappinger by calling (845) 677-7300, while referencing SJS #3021797.

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