October 20, 1981, marks a dark day in Rockland County history. Three people were shot to death and several others wounded during a violent robbery and the following investigation.

It began when a group of left-wing radicals from the self-proclaimed revolutionary groups, the Black Liberation Army and the Weather Underground, robbed an armored truck outside the Nanuet National Bank at the Nanuet Mall. The robbers got away with $1.6 million and, during the heist, fatally shot Brinks guard Peter Paige and wounded two other guards. An hour later, while attempting to escape the area, the group ambushed police who had set up a roadblock on Mountain View Road by the entrance to the New York State Thruway in Nyack.

Police officer Waverly Brown and Sergeant Edward O'Grady, both of the Nyack Police Department, were shot to death. Eventually, all those involved in the planning and execution of the robbery were caught and convicted. Years later, in a controversial move, some were paroled.

Today's ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the entrance to the New York State Thruway on Mountain View Road, where there is a memorial site. The public is invited to attend.

Mountain View Road will be closed to traffic during the event.