Kyle Young
The Vermont State Police and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a preliminary report Monday, Sept. 21, that the untimely passing of Trooper Kyle Young, age 28 of Monkton, Vt. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m., was caused by heat stroke. Trooper Young had collapsed during training at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt. and was rushed to the UVM Medical Center, where he was then pronounced deceased at 3 p.m.
The preliminary report on the death of Trooper Kyle Young determined that the manner of death was accidental and the result of “exertional heat stroke” due to “strenuous physical activity in high environmental temperature.”
Additional investigation is required before a final report is issued and a complete understanding of the circumstances that led to the death of Trooper Young is determined. Trooper Young was participating in tryouts for the Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit when the incident occurred.
“In consultation with the Governor, I have ordered a complete administrative review of the application processes and testing requirements for all Vermont State Police special purpose teams while we await the final report and a complete understanding of what happened,” said Commissioner Keith Flynn in a prepared statement. “Our thoughts continue to be with Trooper Young and his family.”
Trooper Young is survived by his children, a loving partner, and parents and family in Watertown, N.Y. The funeral was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23 in Brownville, NY. The family has requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.
Upon learning of the tragedy, Vermont State Police director Colonel Matthew Birmingham said, “The Vermont State Police express their deepest sympathies to the family of Kyle, his children, his partner, and the troopers who served closely with him. Now and in the coming days, I will focus solely on supporting Kyle’s family, and our Vermont State Police family, as we struggle to come to grips with this tragic loss of a father, son, and brother trooper.”
Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement: “Trooper Kyle Young was a dedicated police officer and Vermonter who joined the State Police to make our state a better place. To lose him in service to Vermont is truly tragic. The Vermont State Police are an incredibly tight-knit family, and I know this loss has hit them hard. My thoughts are with Trooper Young’s family and friends and the entire State Police family.”
The governor has ordered the Vermont state flag to fly at half staff for three days starting at sunrise on Wednesday, Sept. 23, the day of Trooper Young’s funeral.
Trooper Young began his career with the Vermont State Police on Jan. 13, 2014. He was assigned to the New Haven barracks in Middlebury. Many of his fellow troopers from New Haven and around the state made the trip to the hospital in support of Kyle and his family.