He plans to use money for children's education and a trip to Las Vegas.
Craig Jones of Liverpool won $1 million in the Stinkin' Rich New York State Lottery scratch off game. He was presented with the prize Wednesday at the Sunoco station in Liverpool where he bought the ticket by Gretchen Dizer (far right) of the New York State Lottery.Clay, NY -- Craig Jones stopped at the Sunoco A-Plus store on Morgan Road in Clay to put air in his tire of his 2008 Dodge Caravan when he decided to play the lottery.
The last minute decision made Jones, of Liverpool, a rich man.
Jones, 40, a retired Syracuse Police officer, purchased two Stinkin’ Rich instant game tickets on June 3. The first wasn’t a winner but the second was a $1 million winner.
The $1 million prize will be paid as $50,000 a year over 20 years. After taxes, Jones will receive a check for $33,015 a year through 2029.
“When and if I do play, I buy in pairs, because I assume one may be a winner and one may not be a winner,” Jones said.
Jones said when he got home he scratched the ticket from left to right but when he got to the last row he started scratching from right to left. The last number he revealed was the jackpot winner.
“First I made sure my number matched their number and after that I started to thank the Lord multiple times,” he said. “Then I felt this rush of energy and power and ... I started to do cartwheels all over the garage.”
Jones, who was on the police force for nearly 15 years, retired because of a shoulder injury. He currently works at Syracuse University in the physical plant department and takes classes online through Empire State College.
Jones has four children, ages 3 to 18, and lives with his wife of six years. He plans to use the money to put towards his children’s education.
“I’m going to continue to take care of my family like I’ve always done,” said Jones, who plans to continue working at Syracuse University.
Jones said he will use some of the money to go to Las Vegas with his wife for their sixth wedding anniversary next month.
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