Latest news with #fallenofficers
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New bill grants lifetime NYPD pension to children of fallen officers, closing gap in previous law
New legislation passed Wednesday is set to help the families of fallen New York City Police officers for years to come. The "Home Rule" bill was championed for years by the daughter of fallen NYPD Det. Miosotis Familia, who calls this an impactful win for not only herself but NYPD families across the city. Children previously not entitled to lifetime pension Familia was killed in the line of duty back in 2017. Her daughter Genesis Villella was 20 years old, and she dropped out of college to care for her twin siblings, Peter and Delilah, who were only 12. Previously under law, spouses or parents of fallen NYPD officers were entitled to the officer's pension for life, but the officer's children were not. That meant because Familia was a single mother, Villella and her siblings fell through the gap. "The orphan children were forgotten and skipped over numerous times, but I didn't want to allow that to happen anymore," Villella said. "My mom, she made an impact" For years, Villella has pushed for legislation to support the children of fallen NYPD officers, and on Wednesday, it was finally passed by City Council. "Finally this is one chapter of this entire journey I've been on that I can close that should have never existed in the first place," Villella said. "Me and my brother and sister will be receiving my mom's pension, her pension that she would have enjoyed had she made it to retirement." The City Council says the new bill not only honors Familia's legacy by giving her children the support they deserve but also marks a significant correction to a systemic failure. "If this happens in the FDNY, in the Department of Correction, the Department of Investigation or any other city agency where this might be an issue, we now will have in law the example to replicate to protect everyone," Majority Leader Amanda Farías said. "This is solidifying, like, in history that my mom, she made an impact. Everybody loved her. Her death meant something. I know that but now everyone is going to know that," Villella said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Law enforcement memorial service held in downtown Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police agencies from across Western New York came together Wednesday evening for an annual memorial service, which aims to honor fallen law enforcement officers and show respect for their families. Community members, police officers and family members gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral located on Franklin Street. The ceremony, organized by Lieutenant Rob Mercurio of the Buffalo Police Department, began with the presentation of colors, followed by prayers and speeches from several local leaders. Family members of those who lives were taken too soon were greeted by a line of current officers saluting them to pay respects. 'Those officers, those lives, those families, those surviving families, are never forgotten,' Mercurio said. 'The officers that went into work one day and didn't return home to their families, it's tragic. It's incumbent on us to continue on and remember them.' Officers from eight counties in Western New York were present at the ceremony. Father Sean Paul Flemming said the yearly event is a moment where the community can come together as one. 'I see a family of faith that forms. We may not all share the same beliefs or go to the same churches, but on this day, we're here simply as God's children,' Flemming said. 'We're here to support each other in our loss. We're here to support and praise our men and women, our officers, who go out on the job every day.' Following the event was a social gathering, where family members, local leaders, and law enforcement were able to chat with each other. Mercurio said it's what he looks forward to the most each and every year. 'It's all for those moments afterwards where we get to take a breath,' he said. 'Just share what's going on in our lives and what's going on in their lives and how we can support each other in the future.' Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Noon memorial in Marion to honor officers lost in the line of duty
Steve Young Memorial Lodge No. 24 will hold its annual Law Enforcement Memorial on Wednesday, May 21. The event will take place at noon at the Marion Cemetery. The keynote speaker will be Marion Common Pleas Judge Todd Anderson, according to an announcement. The memorial honors five fallen officers from Marion County. They are: Patrolman Jerome Hostetter, who was shot and killed in 1910 Capt. Edward Masterson, who died in a traffic accident in 1922 Deputy William Bender, who was fatally injured in a traffic accident in 1973 Trooper William 'Randy' Bender, who died in a traffic accident in 1982 Deputy Brandy Lyn Winfield, who was shot and killed on Oct. 14, 2004. There will be no parking available on site, but parking will be available off Superior Street behind the old City Hall. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Five Marion officers remembered in emotional cemetery tribute
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado agencies pay tribute to fallen law enforcement during National Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and agencies across Colorado are honoring police, troopers and other law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset to honor our fallen Colorado peace officers. "Today, on Peace Officer Memorial Day, we honor the public safety service members who have died protecting us and our communities. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe, and it is important for us to take a moment today to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our safety. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of fallen officers, and my gratitude is with those who serve our state each and every day," said Polis. CBS This month, many memorials and ceremonies across the state are honoring National Peace Officers Memorial Day. CBS Colorado attended an emotional ceremony in Denver Thursday as the Denver Police Department offered a 21-gun salute and released doves in honor of their fallen officers. At the ceremony, they added another name to the department's memorial, Officer Dale Coski. Coski joined the DPD after serving as an Army Intelligence Officer during the Cold War. In 1983, while helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road, Coski was struck by a vehicle. As a result of the crash, she lost her left leg above the knee, lived with a closed head injury, and suffered from quadriplegia. Coski spent much of her life as an advocate for disability rights. CBS "We are truly saddened that both her DPD career and later life was cut short due to the serious crash that left her wheelchair bound, but tremendously proud of how she continued to provide for others through advocacy and service," officials said during the ceremony. Coski helped develop Denver's disability parking applications, helped create the city's disability parking enforcement program, and testified in support of state laws granting access to service dogs. She passed away last September. Her name is the 78th to be added to the memorial. CBS The Colorado State Patrol also recently honored its fallen troopers. Outside of the Colorado State Patrol Training Academy stands the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial, which lists the names of 362 fallen officers. Five officers' names were added to the memorial this year. Colorado State Patrol During National Police Week, a mobile memorial also honors the 30 CSP members lost in the line of duty. Specialty wrap on seven cruisers displays the names of each trooper and the date they died. The memorials are displayed across the state at community events, parades, ceremonies and more.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hoosock, Jensen families, friends and fellow officers attend vigil for fallen heroes on National Mall in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSYR-TV) — The names of five fallen officers from Central New York were read aloud before a crowd of thousands Tuesday night at the Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Despite the persistent rain, each officer was well-represented with family members or fellow officers. For the reading of Officer Michael Jensen's name, his mom and dad traveled to Washington, DC from Oneida County. Jensen's police family, including Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile, were part of the detail that made the trip. Lt. Michael Hoosock's widow, Cait, and their three children were in attendance for the reading of his name. Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley and Hoosock's fellow deputies were also there. A detail from Oswego County, including Sheriff Don Hilton, attended the vigil for Deputy Cailee Campbell who was killed in a crash last year. Kathy Owen, the widow of Oneida Indian Nation Police Sgt. Ronald Owen, attended the vigil with her family. They were seated in front of a detail from the Nation, led by Chief David Verne. The annual reading of the roll call included 345 names newly recognized this year, either because of a death in the line of duty last year or a special circumstance that finally allowed past deaths to be recognized this year. Lt. David McShane, of the State's Department of Environmental Conservation, who died from a 9/11-related illness last year was also included in the roll call. His fellow officers attended in his memory. In addition to the reading, the names of each officer were newly added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
