Procession escorts slain officer Michael Jensen from Syracuse to Rome, New York. See the emotional images
Hundreds of police lined the streets Tuesday morning as the body of Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen left the Medical Examiner's Office in Syracuse to be delivered to Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home in his hometown of Rome. Jensen was one of two law enforcement officers who were fatally shot in Syracuse on Sunday evening while looking for a driver who fled a traffic stop. The suspect was also killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The shootout took place shortly after 8 p.m. in the residential neighborhood of Liverpool, claiming the lives of Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Hoosock as well as Jensen, authorities said. Hundreds of city residents gathered to stand in solidarity during Tuesday's procession.
Michael Jensen returns to hometown of Rome NY
Rome Health Hospital employees gathered along the corner of Merick and Turin Street.
“Each morning we have a meeting where department heads evaluate issues within the community,” said Rome Health HMI Director Caroline Baker. “That’s why so many of us are here today. We were encouraged to leave and stand in solidarity with our community. United, we stand.”
Baker recently moved from Sackets Harbor to Rome. She noted how “tight-knit” the city is.
“This type of grief is communal,” emphasized Baker. “There aren’t words to describe it. This is a small community and every life is woven together in one way or another. There's a magic to it all. Today so many people showed up who didn’t know either of the fallen officers but nonetheless, the loss is felt.”
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Tears were shed as police from Syracuse, Onondaga, New Hartford, and Rome drove through the streets, making their way to Rome.
“The vehicles just keep coming,” said resident, Debara Welch. “As part of the fabric of this community, I found it important to show my support. To be surrounded by others that felt the same way is just remarkable. It gives me the chills.”
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Darlene Skidmore is friends with the family. She serves as a life member in Delta Omega, a Rome charity sorority, with Jensen's mother.
“She’s a sweetheart,” sighed Skidmore. “There are no words for this kind of shock.”
As a testament to the family, the funeral procession drove past Jensen’s childhood home on Oak Street.
Skidmore’s daughter used to play on the same Rome Youth Hockey team as Jensen. Similarly, she became a local police officer in New Hartford.
“It’s all you think about when your child is out there,” said Skidmore, tearing up. “I always worry about her, I know she can hold her own. Nowadays you don’t have to be a first responder to be in the way of danger. It's a different world out there; life is so precarious.”
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When asked how to handle this kind of grief, resident Nancy Levett offered some advice.
“At a very basic level, just be present,” urged Levett. “Grief is heavy. We must not only think and pray for those grappling with bereavement, but also stand with them when they are at their weakest. That is our responsibility. Just showing brings a sense of comfort to those who need it the most.”
To honor the fallen officers, the city ordered flags to continue flying at half-staff until interment.
“These officers were our brothers in blue and will forever be remembered for giving the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rome Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan in a statement. “Let us honor their memory by living our lives with the same courage and dedication that they showed.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Michael Jensen honored during procession from from Syracuse to Rome NY
