Buffalo NY Police PBA
Fallen Officers Memorial
Buffalo Police Officers
"In The Line Of Duty"
Policeman George Dill
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, January 10, 1865
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Detective James M. Shepard
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, February 2, 1887
Cause of Death: Structure collapse
Sergeant Timothy J. Cantlin
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, January 12, 1896
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sergeant Frederick Brown
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, June 16, 1896
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Patrolman William Dreyer
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, November 2, 1896
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Patrolman Patrick J. Cronin
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, August 23, 1902
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Patrolman Louis D. Wanner
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, April 5, 1903
Cause of Death: Animal related
Patrolman Nicholas Bernard Smith
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, September 7, 1905
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman John R. Ogden
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, July 25, 1911
Cause of Death: Electrocuted
Patrolman Charles E. Schaeffer
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, September 6, 1911
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman George E. Claus
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, November 19, 1912
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman William J. Clossey
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Friday, June 13, 1913
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Detective John M. Dumke
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, April 20, 1919
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Herman A. Radel
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, July 19, 1919
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patrolman Fred J. Pauley
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, July 19, 1919
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patrolman Norman R. Hayes
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, October 20, 1919
Cause of Death: Animal related
Patrolman Dennis J. Harrington
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, October 2, 1920
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Patrolman Winfield S. Willis
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, August 22, 1921
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Charles A. Schmitt
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, November 15, 1921
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Patrolman Emil Woelffel
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, April 15, 1922
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Lieutenant Edward Steck
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, May 22, 1922
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman William T. Hunt
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, January 17, 1924
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Harold Haltam
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, December 23, 1928
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Carl L. Wunderlich
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, February 4, 1930
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman John C. Germain
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, August 9, 1930
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Lieutenant George T. Miller
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, December 20, 1931
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Patrolman Russell E. Greeley
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, November 20, 1932
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Joseph Striebich
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, January 21, 1934
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Patrolman Sterling C. Forden
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Saturday, June 23, 1934
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Lieutenant George L. Uhl
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Friday, August 31, 1934
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Edmond Lisiecki
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, January 26, 1936
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Patrolman Anthony H. Brock
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, January 3, 1937
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Clayton W. Clark
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, February 8, 1938
Cause of Death: Assault
Detective Frank C. Wypijewski
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Sunday, March 20, 1938
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Patrolman Louis Vastola
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, October 30, 1941
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patrolman Fred Ganter
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, December 29, 1942
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patrolman Robert H. Good
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, May 11, 1949
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Patrolman Thomas Dennis Sullivan
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, February 22, 1954
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patrolman William F. Gleisle
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, November 27, 1967
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Robert J. Arnold
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Monday, January 15, 1968
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Joseph L. O'Neil
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, October 7, 1970
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman David J. Scime
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, September 5, 1974
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Patrolman Carl O. Reese
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, February 1, 1977
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Police Officer Charles E. McDougald
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, April 9, 1997
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Robert J. McLellan
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, February 25, 1998
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Police Officer James A. Shields
Buffalo Police Department, NY
EOW: Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
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We Serve and Protect
Welcome to www.buffalopba.com
BUFFALO NY POLICE HERO
On April 24th 1943 Buffalo Police Officer
Thomas V. Bresnan was the first active member of the Buffalo Police Dept. Killed in World War II. This plaque was dedicated to his memory and is proudly displayed at Buffalo Police HDQ.
T*A*P*S* IN MEMORY OF BUFFALO POLICE OFFICER RICHARD CRUZ
T*A*P*S* IN MEMORY OF PO JOSE COLON
It is with great sorrow that The PBA announces the sudden passing of Buffalo Police Officer Jose A. Colon. Jose was involved in a motor vehicle accident on July 24th. He died early that afternoon at ECMC. His son and family were at his side. He was a 12 year veteran officer with the Buffalo Police Department and was an active and respected member of the force who served with high distinction and honor. A fund-raiser to benefit Jose's Family was held on Sunday August 23rd, 2009 at The North Buffalo Community Center on 301 Sanders Rd. Buffalo NY 14216. Call 819-9000 for more information on how you can help..
please e-mail pictures to: buffalopolicepba@yahoo.com
Buffalo Police Officer Jose Colon, the way most of us will remember him, on patrol, doing what he loved most.....being a cop.
Buffalo Police Officer Jose Colon with his then partner PO Molly Constantino at the PBA Awards Banquet, recipients of the Buffalo PBA - Buffalo Blue Pride September 2007 Officer Of The Month Awards.
Buffalo Police Officer Jose Colon with friends
NEW YORK STATE TROOPER DAVID LANE
Trooper David Lane was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol in the town of Catskill.
He was traveling north on State Route 32 when he attempted to pass another northbound vehicle. The vehicles made contact and Trooper Lane's vehicle drove off the roadway and struck a telephone pole, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Trooper Lane had served with the New York State Police for four years and was assigned to the Catskill Station. He had previously served with the United States Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lt. Thomas J. Masterson Sr.
Served Buffalo Police for 46 years
Jan. 18, 1940—Nov. 10, 2009
before joining the Buffalo Police Department for a career that would span 46 years. Lt. Masterson was hired on Nov. 17, 1963, five days before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. He served in several precincts before moving on to the Traffic Division, where he still worked at the time of his death. In 1995, Lt. Masterson made an appearance on the Fox television show COPS when it came to Buffalo and filmed seven episodes. “It’s a tragedy for the department to lose a person like him who brought much experience, knowledge and leadership to our agency,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson. “He was very well respected, and he will be sorely missed.” Gipson, who noted Lt. Masterson could have retired long ago, was considered an expert on traffic control and specialized in setting up races and special events on city streets. He “was a pleasure to work with,” Gipson added. Lt. Masterson was a member of the Police Benevolent Association, International Police Association and was an internationally ranked race walker who competed overseas during the World Police and Fire Games in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1999. At Timon, Lt. Masterson was on the school’s national champion rowing team and was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. Lt. Masterson was an official for USA Track&Field race walking, a member of St. Agatha’s Holy Name Society, the Buffalo Irish Center and St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. He also was a member of the Knights of Equity and Gaelic American Athletic Association. Survivors include his wife, the former Kathleen Beamish; two daughters, Aileen and Cara; a son, Thomas “T. J.” Jr.; two sisters, Helen Butler-Wagner and Maureen McIntee; and a brother, Edward. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a. m. Saturday in St. Louis Catholic Church, 35 Edward St.
Lt. Thomas J. “Shakey” Masterson Sr.,
of South Buffalo, the senior most active-duty member of the Buffalo Police Department, died Wednesday in Roswell Park Cancer Institute after an eight-month battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 69. Born in Buffalo, Lt. Masterson was educated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in the Old First Ward and Bishop Timon High School before going on to attend Hilbert and Buffalo State colleges.
He spent a short time working for the railroad
TAPS IN MEMORY OF PO RICHARD CRUZ
November 27, 1955 - April 1, 2009
Sgt. Richard Cruz, a decorated officer in the Buffalo Police Department who was wounded in combat as a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, died Wednesday after becoming ill at his Buffalo home. He was 53.
Born in Buffalo, Sgt. Cruz graduated from Grover Cleveland High School and joined the department in 1985. He also served in the Army National Guard’s 127th Armor Battalion, headquartered at the Masten Avenue Armory.
Sgt. Cruz, who attained the rank of staff sergeant in the National Guard, was seriously wounded in 2004 when the vehicle in which he was riding was attacked by insurgents. His mission in Iraq was to train police recruits.
Buffalo police officials praised Sgt. Cruz as “a credit to this department and his country.”
Early in his police career, Sgt. Cruz received an award from then-Mayor James D. Griffin for “courage and dedication” after he came to the aid of an injured motorcyclist during a 1988 hit-and-run crash on the Scajaquada Expressway.
Off duty at the time, Sgt. Cruz stabilized the broken arm of the injured man and took him to the hospital in his own vehicle. Doctors later credited his actions with saving the man’s arm and possibly his life.
Most recently, Sgt. Cruz was a highly respected police officer in the Ferry-Fillmore District. He also was an at-large district delegate of the Police Benevolent Association.
Police union officials said Sgt. Cruz was “deeply involved in the community, active in children’s causes, volunteering, and raising awareness for active and veterans of our armed forces.”
Sgt. Cruz also served as mentor of the New York National Guard Corp of Cadets and was a member of the Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post, Fallen Officers Association and the Hispanic Law Enforcement Officers Association.
He served as the vice president of the NCO Club at the Masten Armory and was a platoon sergeant in charge of distributing supplies through the Masten Armory.
He is survived by his wife, the former Kathleen Leon; a son, Richard Jr.; one daughter, Amanda; his parents, Amador Cruz Sr. and the former Maria Rivera; two brothers, Amador Jr. and Billy; and a sister, Rosemary Escabi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at noon Monday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Maryland and Seventh streets.
"POLICEMAN'S PRAYER"
When I start my tour of duty God,
Wherever crime may be,
as I walk the darkened streets alone,
Let me be close to thee.
Please give me understanding with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention until their story's told.
Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience let each man have his say.
Lord if some dark and dreary night,
I must give my life,
Lord, with your everlasting love
protect my children and my wife.
Four Lakewood WA, Police Officers Murdered
Suspect Shot Dead
This morning a complete coward and threat upon all of society took the lives of four of my Guild members and your sworn protectors in a cold blooded assassination. As I write this I am numb. We were dealt a nasty blow, good men and women I have had the honor of knowing for years are senselessly gone. There is no way to comprehend it, to validate it, or to make sense of any of it. You cannot understand evil like this, as a community we must form a solid bond against criminals and hold them accountable. I know my members and can say with certainty that as a group we will remain professional and will continue to work to protect those of you we have taken an oath to protect. If you know a cop tell them how much you appreciate them, it truly keeps us going.
Please pray for these officers and their families. All of them had significant others and children who are left behind. As a Guild we will do anything we can. If you want to donate to the families our Guild has a benevolent account. Every penny will go to the families; if you want to donate to a specific officer you can write his or her name in the memo section. If the check is made out to LPIG at PO Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499. I will personally make sure it goes where it is intended. May God bless you four who are in a place so much better than this; you are some of the finest professionals I have ever known. God bless our community today.
Brian D. Wurts, President
The main public memorial to honor Lakewood Police Officers Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards will be held next Tuesday, December 8th, at the Tacoma Dome.
A Pierce County spokesman said more than 20,000 members of the law enforcement community and the public are expected to attend.
T*A*P*S* In Memory of Trooper Jill Mattice
1st female NY trooper killed on-duty in crash
Mattice, the former Jill Farrar, went to Cleveland Hill High School. She graduated in 1996.
"Her community was enhanced by her service," Governor David Paterson said in a written statement. "Her State is humbled by her sacrifice."
"Jill was just a wonderful, warm human being. She had a bubbly personality always had a smile on her face," said Major Kevin Molinari with the NYS Police.
New York State Trooper Jill Mattice was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, friend and colleague.
Wednesday, Mattice was returning to the Oneonta Barracks, after her shift.
State Police say while traveling east on Route 23 in Morris, she drifted into the westbound lane, and side swiped an oncoming tractor trailer hauling equipment.
Mattice was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers do not believe speed was a factor in the collision.
"We know she did have a cell phone, and had a cell phone in the car with her and we're looking at that along with a number of other things. At this point we haven't eliminated anything whether it's environmental, mechanical, driver inattention," said Molinari.
Mattice was a 6 year veteran of the New York State Police, and a school resource officer for 5 years.
She is the first female trooper, in the state, to die in the line of duty.
"It was just such a shock I know a lot of us are still in denial. I didn't want to believe it still don't want to believe it she was scheduled to be here today and its just so hard to just imagine," said Franklin Principal Jason Thomson.
Mattice worked closely with students and staff at both the Franklin Central School and Unadilla Valley districts.
Running safety, and anti-bullying programs.
"She truly touched the hearts of hundreds of children. Such a void that won't be replaced," said Thomson.
State police now have the difficult task, of investigating what caused the fatal crash, that claimed the life of one of their own.
State Police say the driver of the tractor trailer was 33-year-old Frank Saggese of West Oneonta.
He was not injured in the crash.
Saggese was ticketed for several things, like carrying excess weight on his trailer.
But Troopers say those violations play no role in the crash.
Any witnesses who have information, are asked to call state police at 607 -561-7400
A New York State Trooper who grew up in Cheektowaga died in an accident Wednesday when her cruiser collided head-on with a tractor trailer.
Jill Mattice, 31, a six year veteran, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened Wednesday afternoon on Route 23 in the Town of Morris -- about 200 miles east of Buffalo.
