Below is the ‘Letter to the Editor’ I sent to local publications to mark the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Department Officer Michael Jensen.
As Chairman of Public Safety Committee in Onondaga County, this one-year anniversary of the tragic line-of-duty deaths of Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Department Officer Michael Jensen is a solemn moment to reflect on their immense service and sacrifice to our community.
Lt. Hoosock and Officer Jensen were not just police officers they were dedicated public servants who took on the challenging and often dangerous task of protecting and serving the people of Onondaga County. Their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of others, often at the expense of their own safety, leaves behind an indelible legacy. In their passing, we are reminded of the daily sacrifices made by law enforcement officers everywhere.
Their deaths left a hole not only in their families and departments but also in the hearts of all of us who call Onondaga County home. As a community, we are bound by our shared responsibility to support the families and colleagues they left behind. It is through our collective grief that we can begin to heal and honor their memories.
As we reflect, we remember the lives they saved, the work they did, and the principles they stood for. Lt. Hoosock and Officer Jensen were individuals of unwavering integrity, courage, and selflessness. Their commitment to public service is a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every single day and the deep gratitude we owe them for keeping our communities safe.
Our prayers remain with their families who continue to feel the weight of their loss each day and with their fellow law enforcement officers, who have faced the difficult reality of continuing the work they did with honor and pride. We stand with them in their grief, their resilience, and their resolve.
One year later, while the pain of their loss remains, we also recognize the strength and unity of this community in the wake of tragedy. It is in their honor that we continue to strive for a better, safer world for all. We will never forget Lt. Michael Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen. Their sacrifice will always be remembered, and their legacy will endure.
May God continue to bless their families, their departments, and all who serve in law enforcement, keeping them safe as they carry out their vital duties.