State police commander being investigated

Probe stems from an incident in which a gun was discharged in her home

The state police commander for Dutchess, Columbia, Putnam and Westchester counties is under investigation for allegedly firing her state police-issued firearm into a wall in her Greene County home.

State police said that on Wednesday, Feb. 15, state police Troop K Commander Major Kathryne Rohde was at home with her daughter when she fired a single round from her service weapon. Police said that Rohde was alone in a room in her home when she discharged her weapon. There were no injuries, state police said.

As part of their investigation, state police investigators completed a domestic incident report related to the incident, although no charges were filed in connection with the incident.

There has been no change in Rohde’s employment status. The investigation is ongoing.

Rohde, 45, holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Albany. She joined the state police in 1999 and was first assigned to Troop F, which covers Ulster, Greene, Orange, Rockland and Sullivan counties.

She was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and stayed with Troop F until 2010, when she was assigned to the Governor’s Protective Services Detail.

In 2015, Rohde transferred to Troop K, where she first was Assistant Zone 2 commander, then, after being promoted to captain in 2017, became Zone 2 commander.

In 2018, she became Zone 1 commander. Zone 1 is headquartered in the town of Livingston in Columbia County.

She became Troop K commander in May 2021, replacing former Major Michael J. Drake.

Troop K headquarters are in the town of Washington.