Oneida County Death: State Police Involved in Struggle

BARNEVELD, NY – A New York State Police encounter turned deadly in Oneida County on March 24th, sparking an investigation by Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI). Matthew Brown, of Barneveld, died shortly after 1:00 a.m. on March 25th at a local hospital following a physical altercation with troopers.

According to preliminary reports, NYSP troopers responded to a 911 call at a residence in Barneveld at approximately 11:14 p.m. on March 24th. Troopers engaged in conversation with Brown and attempted to take him into custody for a mental health evaluation. The situation quickly escalated into a struggle, with troopers ultimately forcing Brown to the ground and applying handcuffs.

An ambulance was immediately requested, but before paramedics arrived, Brown reportedly became unresponsive. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead. The circumstances surrounding his sudden medical distress remain unclear, and OSI is now tasked with determining whether any actions or omissions by the troopers contributed to his death.

The Attorney General’s OSI, established under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, is mandated to investigate any incident where a law enforcement officer – including state troopers, corrections officers, and peace officers – may have caused a civilian’s death, regardless of whether the officer was on-duty or the individual was armed. The law casts a wide net, covering deaths that occur during arrests, custody, or even off-duty encounters.

“We are committed to a thorough and impartial investigation into the death of Matthew Brown,” a statement from the Attorney General’s office read. “OSI will gather all available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and medical records, to determine the facts and ensure accountability.” This is not the first time the OSI has been called in to investigate incidents involving the NYSP; the office has a history of probing allegations of excessive force and misconduct.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story. The investigation is ongoing, and all details are preliminary and subject to change as OSI gathers further evidence. The family of Matthew Brown has not yet released a statement. Residents of Oneida County are demanding answers, and questions regarding the use of force and mental health crisis intervention tactics are already surfacing.

RELATED: NY State Troopers Linked to In-Custody Death: Footage Released