State Police: Trooper who shot and killed Columbia County man retires

The trooper who shot and killed a Columbia County man has retired from his position, State Police said.

Brian Rudolph killed James Dellea, of Hillsdale, on Sept. 11. Dellea had been threatening to harm himself, investigators said. He led police on a low-speed chase from the Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Route 9 in Malta to the parking lot of Bethel Saratoga Church.

Rudolph shot Dellea after he refused commands to get out of the car and pointed a gun at troopers.

Rudolph was a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police. It was Rudolph’s personal decision to retire and not related to any disciplinary action, according to State Police.

Dellea’s family held a vigil on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Copake Park. Dellea, a well-known stock car driver, was having a mental health crisis after some personal tragedies. He had lost both parents, two siblings and his day-old grandson over the past three years.