NYS trooper shot during traffic stop had pulled over to help, officials say — as gunman still on the loose

A New York State Trooper who was shot during a Wednesday night traffic stop on Long Island had emergency surgery — as cops continue their massive manhunt for the gunman.

Trooper Thomas Mascia — who was hit in the leg on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17 at about 11:30 p.m. last night — was in “good spirits” Thursday after his operation at Nassau University Medical Center, according to Nassay County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

“I wanted to see if he was OK and if he needed anything,” Blakeman told The Post on Thursday. “He’s doing well. He’s in good spirits, he came out of surgery with flying colors.

“We’re very grateful it wasn’t worse news.”

The unidentified gunman — who is still on the loose — shot the 27-year-old Mascia as he approached the suspect’s black Dodge Charger, which was parked on the parkway’s median in West Hempstead, ABC 7 reported.

“Shots fired! Shots fired! I’m hit! I think my kneecap is broken,” Mascia said on the police radio, according to CBS News.

Mascia, who thought the driver needed help, wrote down the car’s license plate before he got out of his cruiser, the station said.

“This trooper — his one and only intention was to help someone who appeared to need help,” State Police Major Stephen Eudice said at a Thursday press conference.

“He got out of his troop car, he walked to this car with the full intention of helping them,” he continued. “And he became a target for them — they started firing rounds at him. This is unacceptable.”

After hearing the crackle of gunfire — and realizing one of the bullets had struck him in the leg — Mascia dove behind the patrol car as the shooter took off, headed west.

“He was able to retrieve his first aid bag and tend to his own wounds,” State Police Superintendent Steven James said.

Another trooper responded to the shooting call and brought Mascia to the hospital, where he had surgery on his wounded leg.  

Authorities described the suspect’s car as a black sedan with custom matte gray dual exhaust tips and the license plate tag “997636T.”

Mascia didn’t fire back at his attacker, who authorities said likely fled into New York City.

The shooting sparked an ongoing search for the suspect’s vehicle, cops said.

Meanwhile, the troopers’ police union — which represents 7,000 officers — issued a statement condemning the shooting and saying the perpetrator “must be brought to swift justice.”

“We are sickened by the actions of this cowardly individual who thought nothing of shooting a Trooper who was simply doing his job,” the statement said. “We thank the medical providers who are providing our brother with the care he needs, and we will support him as he makes what we hope is a speedy recovery.

“This incident underscores the dangers our members bravely face every day in service of all New Yorkers and is a reminder that any interaction has the potential to turn deadly,” the PBA continued.

“This must serve as a call to action for our state leaders to work closely with our union to ensure the safety of PBA members and the public they protect and serve.”