Rome, NY — Hundreds of police officers, first responders and mourners from around Central New York and beyond stood outside of a small Rome funeral home on a wet and cold Friday afternoon for their chance to say their last goodbyes to Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen.
The calling hours for Jensen, who was killed in the line of duty Sunday, were held at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home in Rome.
A rain-drenched American flag hung from a fire truck’s extended ladder just above a line of people that wrapped around the building and deep into the parking lot.
Angela Harris, 43, of Oneida, was one of the people who braved a torrential downpour and bone-chilling wind. She and her husband huddled under a small umbrella towards the end of the line to get into the funeral home.
“I actually think the weather makes sense for a day like today,” she said. “It almost feels like the heavens are crying for (Jensen) and his family.”
About 15 minutes after people began entering the funeral home, the rain let up and the wind died down.
A coach bus loaded with Syracuse police officers arrived in front of the funeral home just after 3 pm They were escorted to the front of the line to pay their respects to Jensen.
Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock, 37, were both killed in a Salina shooting Sunday after a traffic stop where the driver sped away. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was also killed in the gunfight.
Jensen was born in New Hartford to Paul and Michelle Jensen, according to his obituary.
He was a native of Rome and graduated from Rome Free Academy in 2013. He attended Le Moyne College and got a bachelor’s degree in business in 2017 and his master’s in business administration in 2018.
He worked as an accountant for four years before officially joining the Syracuse Police Department in February 2022.
“Michael was so much more than his accolades,” his family said in the obituary. “He was a gem in every sense of the word. Always equipped with a smirk, his dry sense of humor and goofiness was contagious to everyone Michael crossed paths with. He always had something to say that would make you laugh. He leaves behind wonderful memories and stories that his family, friends, and those who knew him will cherish forever.”
The family says in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jensen’s name to:
- The Rome Youth Hockey Association at RYHA, PO Box 861, Rome, NY 13440
- The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association PO Box 11218, Syracuse, NY, 13218
- The Marion Guild of St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E Dominick Street, Rome, NY, 13440.
The funeral for Jensen will begin at 11 am Saturday at St. John the Baptist Church at 210 E. Dominick Street in Rome.
He will be buried during a private ceremony at St. John’s Cemetery.
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