ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson called David C. Brinkerhoff one of the greatest state troopers New York has ever had Wednesday as the slain officer was posthumously awarded the highest state police award for heroism.

Brinkerhoff’s wife, Barbara Brinkerhoff, accepted the Brummer Award on behalf of her late husband and was given a standing ovation by hundreds of troopers and their families who attended the ceremony at the State Police Academy.

The award has been given 88 times, including 13 times posthumously.

“It’s a great honor,” said Barbara Brinkerhoff. “All these guys deserve this award. I’m very proud of them all,” she said, referring to members of the Mobile Response Team, who worked with her husband and were with him the day he was shot and killed.

Brinkerhoff, 29, was killed by friendly fire April 25, 2007, during a shootout in a Delaware County farmhouse with a man who the day before had shot another state trooper.

Travis Trim opened fire on Brinkerhoff when he came into the room where Trim was hiding. Brinkerhoff was struck in his body armor but held his position.

He and other troopers had an exchange of gunfire with Trim. Brinkerhoff continued to fire and eventually struck and killed Trim.

By the time it was over, 69 shots had been fired.

Brinkerhoff, a nine-year veteran of the state police, was mortally wounded during the final exchange of gunfire. A .223 rifle round fired by a Mobile Response Team member hit Brinkerhoff in the back of the head beneath his Kevlar helmet.

The house caught fire during the confrontation. Trim was found dead inside after the fire was extinguished.

Brinkerhoff, a former Bethlehem resident assigned to the Coxsackie barracks, left behind an infant daughter.

Paterson, who gave the opening remarks at Wednesday’s ceremony, said that what most people call heroism is what the state police call work, and each day, troopers may have to look death in the face.

“We just thank God we have people like you,” he told the troopers.

“It’s a proud day for us, but a sad day,” said State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt. “Anytime you lose a member it’s sad. Trooper Brinkerhoff was a courageous man. He fired the shot that killed Trim.”

He said the ceremony honors those troopers and employees who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to service, at times giving their own lives to do so.

An internal investigation by state police identified which trooper’s bullet hit Brinkerhoff, but the agency has refused to release the information.

Also Wednesday, six members of the Mobile Response Team who searched for Trim — Brinkerhoff, Daniel P. Lean, William B. Crowe, Richard C. Mattson, Joseph A. Schmidt and Peter G. Verdesi — received superintendent’s commendation awards.

They all entered the farmhouse in Margaretville in search of Trim.

In the ensuing gun battle, Trim shot Mattson in the arm. At “extreme risk,” Schmidt removed Mattson to a safer position in an adjoining room and provided lifesaving medical assistance.

“Despite a direct and imminent threat to their lives, each of these troopers exhibited exceptional bravery and fortitude in the execution of their duties,” Corbit said.

Mattson, who was seriously injured, is being considered for retirement.