Syracuse, NY — Thousands of police officers, firefighters and others stood along city streets, bridges and highways Tuesday in honor of Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen as his body was taken home to Rome.
A procession of about 200 police cars and motorcycles accompanied a hearse that made the 47-mile trip from downtown Syracuse to a funeral home in Rome.
Along the way, fire trucks parked on bridges over highways and firefighters stood at attention as the procession passed. People gathered along streets to watch.
In Rome, more people stood along roads as the procession went by and passed his family home.
Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock were both killed in a Salina shooting Sunday after a traffic stop where the driver speeded away. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was also killed in the gunfight.
The procession started at about 11 am at the Wallie J. Howard Center for Forensic Sciences in downtown Syracuse.
Crowds of officers stood at attention and saluted as Jensen’s body passed by in the hearse.
Police cars and motorcycles flashed red and blue lights as they escorted the hearse up Interstate 81 North.
As Jensen passed underneath the Court Street Bridge, the sun shined on the American flag placed on the bridge’s fence by a Syracuse firefighter.
Syracuse firefighters on Bear Street bridge stood still in silence for 16 minutes. The firefighters walked away with tears in their eyes and returned to their fire truck after the procession passed under the bridge.
The procession continued north and took the Thruway to Rome.
In Rome, people watched, and some honked their horns in respect of the lost officer.
People started to line Turnit road in front of the funeral by 11 am About 50 Rome police officers and firefighters, Oneida county sheriff’s deputies and officers from neighboring towns also stood in wait for their fallen brother in the funeral home’s parking lot.
Two fire trucks with their ladders fully extended draped an American flag over Merrick Road in front of the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home in Rome.
At about 12:54 pm, the first of over 200 police vehicles began driving the intersection of Turin and Merrick. The procession lasted well over 15 minutes before ending at 1:10 pm
Police cars from Geddes, Cicero, Oneida, Baldwinsville, Syracuse, Solvay, Dewitt, Fulton, state police and many more attended the procession.
Patricia Nichols, 54, of Rome, started crying as the procession passed where she and her family stood.
“When you have small town like this (Rome) where everybody kind of knows each other, that’s what makes this all so sad,” she said. “We didn’t know him, but we just wanted to be out here today to show our support for the Jensen family.”
Jensen graduated from the Syracuse Regional Police Academy in August 2022. Jensen had 2½ years on the force and was described as ambitious and hard-working, according to Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile.
“He came to work yesterday with his typical bright smile, ear to ear, and his charming personality, that infectious, charming personality, that resonated so well with our members,” Syracuse police union president Joe Moran said at a news conference Monday.
Hoosock, 37 was taken to the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in Salina Monday night, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Police officers from several agencies gather at Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room in Syracuse early Monday, April 15, 2024, after two officers were fatally shot in Salina. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Police officers salute as the bodies of two officers were transported to the Wallie Howard Forensics Science Center in Syracuse on Monday, April 15, 2024. The officers died when they were shot in Salina. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Two transport ambulances carry the bodies of two slain officers to the Wallie Howard Forensics Science Center in Syracuse. Police officers from several local agencies had gathered at Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room after the officers were shot. Monday, April 15, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Police officers from several local agencies gather at Upstate hospital’s emergency room to hear the news of to slain officers. April 15, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected]
Police officers from several local agencies gather at Upstate hospital’s emergency room to hear the news of to slain officers. April 15, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected]
Police officers from several agencies gather at Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room in Syracuse after two officers were fatally shot in Salina on Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Sheriff’s deputies salute as the bodies of two slain officers were taken to the Wallie Howard Forensics Science Center in Syracuse. The deputies were among more than 100 officers who gathered outside Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room after the officers were shot in Salina. Monday April 15, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
A pastor offers prayers to officers gathered outside Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room early Monday, April 15, 2024, after two officers were fatally shot in Salina. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Mayor Ben Walsh stand outside Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room after two officers were killed in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Dozens of police officers from several agencies gather at Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room in Syracuse after two officers were fatally shot in Salina on Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Two officers walk down East Adams Street and follow the escort of two slain officers to the Wallie Howard Forensics Science Center in Syracuse early Monday, April 15, 2024. Dozens of officers from several agencies gathered at Upstate University Hospital’s emergency room in Syracuse after two officers were fatally shot in Salina. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Syracuse police and Onondaga County sheriff’s deputies gather outside the emergency room at Upstate University Hospital on Sunday night, April 14, 2024 after two officers were fatally shot in Salina. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Police officers wait outside the Upstate University Hospital emergency room after two officers were fatally shot in Salina on Sunday, April 14, 2023. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Police officers wait outside the Upstate University Hospital emergency room after two officers were shot in Salina on Sunday, April 14, 2023. (Dennis Nett | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after two officers were fatally shot near 4945 Darien Drive in Salina on Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police from multiple agencies swarm Darien Drive in Salina after two police officers were shot Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after two officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after two officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after two officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after two officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
Police set up a perimeter after officers were shot in the vicinity of 4945 Darien Drive in Salina Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Scott Schild | [email protected])
2 CNY police officers killed
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