Joseph Aversa of the New York State Police was shot to death on March 5, 1990, while serving on the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. He was 31 years of age at the time of his death.

Aversa joined the New York State Police in March 1984. During his tenure, he received several letters of commendation and, posthumously, the New York State Police Award of Valor.

Task Force Officer Aversa was conducting surveillance of undercover negotiations during a cocaine investigation when the drug dealers fired at the undercover officer. Aversa led other task force members to the scene and was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the drug traffickers. Two other task force members were injured in the incident.

Task Force Officer Aversa was survived by his wife, Eileen; his parents, Doris and Vincent, Sr.; and one brother, Vincent E., Jr.