On Sunday, March 3, state trooper Rodney Smith was allegedly stabbed in the neck by Eric Green, a former resident of Albany, at the State Plaza concourse. One week removed, and the 15-year veteran is now home and expected to make a full recovery.

The road to recovery will not be an easy one. Upon discharge from Albany Medical Center on Tuesday, March 5, it was revealed that Trooper Smith had suffered “severe lacerations.” But through it all, the trooper has remained positive.

Also on March 5, Green was brought into custody. No motives have been revealed, though Green has a known history of violence with the police.

The incident has left much for us to glean from it. We see the daily struggles of the police force. Granted, not every conflict becomes as horrifyingly physical as this one. But officers must be ready to handle anything and everything that comes their way. Unfortunately, this sometimes makes officers cynical people, but they still work tirelessly to keep our community safe.

It will be a long road for Trooper Smith from here. Yet if anyone can do it, surely a 15-year veteran  can. We at The Nest wish Trooper Smith all the best in his recovery.