Our Fallen

Anthony Patrick Mazurkiewicz Police Officer Tony Mazurkiewicz was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on Bauman Street at 9:15 pm. As part of a murder investigation, Officer Mazurkiewicz and another officer were in an unmarked police vehicle when the subject walked up from behind and fired 17 rounds. The other officer exited the passenger side and returned fire but did not strike the subject, who fled. Officer Mazurkiewicz was shot at least twice in the upper body. Officer Mazurkiewicz was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. His partner was shot in the lower body and transported to Rochester General Hospital, where he was treated and released. A 15-year-old girl was grazed by a bullet that entered her home during the ambush. The subject was found an hour later hiding in a crawl space in a vacant house. He has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Officer Mazurkiewicz had served with the Rochester Police Department for 29 years and previously served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by his wife, four children, three grandchildren, parents, brother, and sister.

Daryl R. Pierson Police Officer Daryl Pierson was shot and killed near the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Warsaw Street while involved in a foot pursuit of a suspect following a traffic stop. The man that Officer Pierson was chasing had been paroled only three weeks prior while serving a sentence for attempted armed robbery. On July 16th, 2015, the suspect was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with a sentence of 55 years to life in prison, to be served consecutively for aggravated murder of a police officer and attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, respectively. A bystander was also wounded by the gunfire. Officer Pierson was a veteran of the National Guard and had served with the Rochester Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Clark Police Officer Tom Clark suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after completing a physical agility test while trying out for the department's canine unit. He returned home following the test, informed his wife he did not feel well, and laid down. A short time later his wife checked on him and was unable to wake him. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead that evening at Rochester General Hospital. Officer Clark had served in law enforcement for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Siver Police Officer Ronald Siver drowned during a water recovery operation in Irondequoit Bay. He and several other members of the department's Dive Team were searching for the body of a boating accident victim in a section of the bay that was 75 feet deep, approximately 200 yards north of the Irondequoit Bay Bridge. Two other divers attempted to rescue him and brought him to the surface, but he was not able to be revived. Officer Siver had served with the Rochester Police Department for 3-1/2 years and had previously served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for 4-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, sister, and five brothers.

K9 Damon died after falling from the roof of the Boise Cascade envelope factory at 72 Cascade Place while searching it for burglary suspects. Officers had arrested one man after responding to the scene to investigate a burglary alarm. K9 Damon and his handler were searching the rest of the building when Damon inadvertently jumped over the edge of the roof.

John J. Jenkins, Jr. Police Officer John Jenkins succumbed to injuries sustained 11 days earlier when his three-wheel motor scooter was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Court Street. Officer Jenkins' scooter struck a car that ran a red light. Fire personnel revised him after performing CPR. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on January 3rd, 1979, without ever regaining consciousness. Officer Jenkins had served with the Rochester Police Department for 28 years. He was survived by his wife.

Leo L. Kerber Patrolman Leo Kerber was struck and killed by two cars as he walked across the intersection of Hayward Avenue and North Goodman Street. Neither driver was charged. Patrolman Kerber had served with the Rochester Police Department for 37 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, grandson, brother, and sister.

Harold V. Shaw Patrolman Harold Shaw was shot and killed by burglary suspects after the building they were burglarizing was surrounded. He discovered a burglary in progress at the Rae Oil Company at 10 Ambrose Street and radioed for backup. Once backup officers arrived a perimeter was established with an officer at all windows and doors. Gunfire erupted at the window where Patrolman Shaw was standing and he was struck once in the arm and once in the chest. He returned fire before he succumbed to his wounds at the scene. The two perpetrators fled through that window and were later captured. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in Attica State Prison on June 29th, 1960. One subject was released from prison on December 24th, 1979. The other was released on November 15th, 1984.

James T. Volz Patrolman James Volz was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the intersection of Prince Street and East Main Street. No charges were filed against the man who struck him. Patrolman Volz was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.

Victor Woodhead Detective Victor Woodhead was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for robbing the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He and another detective, along with two employees of the Chamber of Commerce, had been waiting in a hotel to positively identify the suspect. When the suspect came down from his room the detectives started to follow him. The suspect walked to a garage on Stillson Street and got into a car. Detective Woodhead attempted to talk to him but the man suddenly exited the car and opened fire, mortally wounding him. The man was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On March 1st, 1952, his sentence was commuted to 35 years to life with eligibility for parole in 1958. Detective Woodhead was survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and sister.

John T. Mallett Patrolman John Mallett was struck and killed by a vehicle while at the scene of a previous accident at the intersection of Frost Avenue and Reynolds Street. Patrolman Mallett had served with the Rochester Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

William O'Brien Patrolman William O'Brien was shot and killed while investigating a burglary, at 290 Garson Avenue, at approximately 9:00 pm. Patrolman O'Brien responded to the scene on his police motorcycle and caught the man exiting the back door of the house. When he ordered the man to stop the subject fired a single round, striking Patrolman O'Brien in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman O'Brien was able to return fire but did not strike the man. The subject fled to the front of the house and dove through a window to escape. A special police officer who was working in the area due to a recent rash of burglaries heard the gunshots and also responded to the scene. He captured the suspect following a short foot pursuit. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman O'Brien's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 29th, 1920. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the Rochester Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Rochester Fire Department.

James Upton Patrolman James Upton was shot and killed by one of three men he surprised while they attempted to set fire to a grocery store at 223 Plymouth Avenue shortly before 2:00 a.m. Two suspects were apprehended and the killer was apprehended several weeks later. The 35-year-old killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1922 the New York Supreme Court ordered a new trial. He was then convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was released in 1941. Patrolman Upton was survived by his wife, mother, and several sisters.

William J. Geib Patrolman William Geib succumbed to injuries sustained from an arrest two months earlier. During the arrest, he was hurt on his side, where he had suffered a previous injury. He succumbed to his injury at his home. Patrolman Geib had served with the Rochester Police Department for over 14 years and was assigned to the Sixth Precinct. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Frank Ford Patrolman Frank Ford succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 11 days earlier after he responded to investigate reports of a woman screaming in a home at 140 North Street. When he arrived at the home, he discovered a man attempting to rape the woman. When Patrolman Ford tried to take the man into custody, the man grabbed a handgun from a night table and shot him. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Ford's murder and executed at Auburn Prison on December 10th, 1913. Patrolman Ford had served with the Rochester Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and niece.

Charles E. Twitchell Mounted Patrolman Charles Twitchell died from injuries sustained when the horse he was riding slipped and fell on wet pavement at the intersection of Meigs Street and Rockingham Street. His feet were in the horse's stirrups when it fell and rolled over. Patrolman Twitchell suffered a fractured hip and skull as a result of the accident. He was taken to Hahnemann Hospital where he died a short time after arrival. Patrolman Twitchell had served with the Rochester Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the University Avenue Station.

William P. O'Neil Patrolman William O'Neil succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while arresting a subject at the intersection of Adams Street and Ford Street. He had arrested the man for neglecting to support his family and was taking him to police headquarters. The man broke away from Patrolman O'Neil, drew a gun, and fatally shot him. Patrolman O'Neil had served with the Rochester Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Louis Gomenginger Patrolman Louis Gomenginger was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance involving an intoxicated man near 205 State Street. A citizen had flagged down Patrolman Gomenginger for assistance after the man had discharged his revolver toward a crowd of people in the street. Patrolman Gomenginger responded to the scene and tracked the suspect to a nearby boarding house. As soon as Patrolman Gomenginger entered the house and confronted the suspect, the man opened fire, killing him instantly. The man was arrested and convicted of first-degree manslaughter. He died in prison after serving 12 years of a life sentence. Patrolman Gomenginger had served with the Rochester Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and at least four children, and he is interred in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester.