LOUDONVILLE---State Police Major Patricia Groeber has been appointed Troop Commander of Troop G by Supt. Preston L. Felton, the first woman in New York State to lead a police troop.

Groeber, 44, started her police career in Troop G in 1986, serving as a uniformed trooper in both Troop G and T (Thruway) until she was promoted to sergeant in 1991.

Groeber replaces Major Gerald Meyer who was recently promoted to staff inspector and is working in employee relations for the State Police.

While sergeant, Groeber was assigned to the State Police academy, the crime laboratory and a Schenectady County barracks. Upon promotion to lieutenant in 1997, she was assigned to Batavia, to the state police internal affairs unit and as a uniformed lieutenant at Troop G in Loudonville.

In 2001, Groeber was promoted to captain and served as a zone commander on the Thruway. She transferred to the Executive Services Detail in 2002 and was responsible for the implementation of security changes at the state Capitol and other state government buildings in Albany.

In June 2006, Groeber was promoted to major and served as the director of traffic services for the state police.

She is a 1984 graduate of the University of Albany with a bachelor's degree in biology/chemistry. She also has a master's degree in criminal justice from Rockefeller College/University at Albany and a master's degree in public administration from Marist College. 3-16-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette