Mark Ondus

New York State Police Trooper Mark Ondus passed away on October 9, 2025, due to service-related cancer attributed to his assignment to the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He had served with the New York State Police for 26 years and was 56 years old at the time of his death. 

Ondus was born in Gowanda, New York, where he lived his entire life. He was one of three sons born to John and Carol Ondus. He graduated from Gowanda Central School in 1987. He worked in the retail industry and was inspired to become a law enforcement officer by a close friend who was a police officer in the community. He was a very kind-hearted person who wanted to help make his community and surrounding areas a safer place. He entered the New York State Police Academy in April 1994. He proudly served for 26 years, retiring due to illness in January 2021. He was last assigned to Troop T-SP Dunkirk. He was known to be a hard worker, who was dedicated, honest, and loved the State Police. He was well versed and knowledgeable about the area and its people. Posthumously, he was awarded the Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush. 

Ondus and his future wife, Tamara, were born and raised in the same area and met at a gas station. She thought he was an attendant and mechanic at the station, a story he loved to tell. Both of them had children and had a lot of common goals for the future. They met in 1999 and married in 2004, and went on to have two children together, Nikolas and Tauni. Their blended family included Charles Ondus and Sebastian Luther, becoming a family of six, followed by two granddaughters, Everleigh and Sophia Luther. They built a family home in 2002, and created great memories on yearly family vacations, usually to North Carolina or Florida. Ondus loved his big family and would do anything for them. He was a brave protector, a kind man, a mentor, and a hero to many. 

New York State Trooper Mark Ondus is survived by his loving wife, Tamara, his children, Charles Ondus, Sebastian Luther, and Nikolas and Tauni Ondus. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Everleigh and Sophia Luther, his brother, Jay, and many other cherished family members and friends. He was predeceased by his father, John, his mother, Carol, and his brother, Scott. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Ondus family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.