ALBANY — New York State Police troop commander Maj, Kathryne Rohde, who is under investigation for a domestic incident that occurred Feb. 15 while her daughter was home, remains on active duty as the investigation continues, State Police Public Information Director Beau Duffy said Tuesday.
Rohde was honored last May as a “Champion Against Child Abuse” by the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The Center is a 30-year-old nonprofit institution dedicated to the reduction of child mistreatment.
On Feb. 15, Rohde, commander of Troop K, was in her home in Greene County when a single round of her Division-issued firearm was discharged. Her daughter was at home in another room of the house.
The incident is being investigated by the New York State Police Professional Standards Bureau as a domestic incident, Duffy said.
Last May, the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse honored Rohde at its “Champions Against Child Abuse” Awards celebration. According to the Center’s website, the organization recognized Rohde for making it “a priority to dedicate resources to work in conjunction with our partners in Dutchess County to identify and prosecute those who victimize children.”
Rohde and Troop K also work with the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services Child Protective Caseworkers, according to the Center’s site.
Rohde’s experience includes her tenure in the State Police Computer Crimes Unit as the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children commander and, according to the CPCA site, Rohde is “extremely familiar with advocating for some of our most vulnerable populations.”
A statement issued at the time of Rohde’s appointment as commander of Troop K described her as a native of Long Island who has lived in Greene County for more than 25 years. She holds degrees in criminal justice from the University at Albany and has been with Troop K since 2015, after serving in Troop F as a sergeant. In 2010, Rohde was assigned to the Governor’s Protective Services Detail under former Gov. David A. Paterson.
While the matter is being investigated, Major Rohde will remain on active duty.
“She is on active duty and there’s been no change in her employment status. The incident remains under investigation,” Duffy said.
Duffy also said Rohde has been with the New York State Police since 1999 and has been troop commander since May 2021. The first woman commander of Troop K was Robin Benzinger.
Troop K covers Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties.