- Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson, age 32, was killed Wednesday night while pursuing a suspect in the area of Hudson Avenue and Warsaw Street in the city’s Northeast side. Investigators said there was a shoot out during the chase between the officer and suspect. The officer was taken to Rochester General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.The suspect, Thomas Johnson, 38, was in surgery, but is expected to fully recover. He was arraigned in his guarded hospital room on Thursday evening. 13WHAM has learned Johnson was released from prison three weeks ago. He served time for second-degree attempted robbery and has an extensive police record.A bystander sustained non-life threatening injuries, after he was shot by Johnson during the in the upper leg while walking his dog at the scene. According to police, Pierson never fired a shot during the foot chase with Johnson. Johnson was chased by another police officer and shot.Pierson was assigned to the Tactical Unit. He received numerous awards and commendations, beginning his career with the Rochester Police Department in 2006. Eleven “Chief’s Letters of Recognition”, most of which were for removing illegal firearms from the streets of Rochester. The Rochester Police Department’s “Officer of the Month Award” for September, 2010; The Rochester Police Department’s “Good Conduct Award” in 2013. Officer Pierson was also a member of the United States Army National Guard.
During his career Officer Pierson received the following awards and commendations: Daryl leaves behind a wife and two children. His youngest is just 3-months-old and his 4-year-old started kindergarten Wednesday morning. Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli gave an emotional statement during a press conference on Thursday. “Words cannot express the sadness and grief we all feel at the loss of our brother, Officer Daryl Pierson,” said Chief Ciminelli. “Daryl made the ultimate sacrifice by courageously giving his life protecting the City of Rochester. During this difficult time I know that the Rochester community will join together with us to honor our fallen comrade, and support his family.”
Officer Pierson’s brother and sister on the force are taking the news of his death hard. 13WHAM spoke with former Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter who knew Pierson personally. Baxter says Pierson was the kind of person you wanted by your side on and off duty. At the Rochester Police Department Headquarters, there was a memorial for 14 offers that have fallen in the line of duty. Pierson is now the 15th officer to die in the line of duty in the City of Rochester. The last officer who died from a gunshot was back in 1955.
Daryl’s sister, Patty Rizzo, is a resident of Wolcott and is a corrections officer for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. His father also resides in Wolcott
Portions of this story courtesy of Times news partner 13WHAM
