Police officers unselfishly protect the community, Batavia Det. Matthew J. Wojtaszczyk said Monday at St. Joseph's Cemetery during a ceremony to honor those who worked the streets of the city and were eventually laid to rest.
"I want to sincerely thank everyone who had a hand in this process of locating and honoring former members of the city of Batavia Police Department," said Wojtaszczyk, who is president of the Batavia Police Benevolent Association. "They dedicated their lives to a career of service for our community. From the inception of our police department in 1915 to today, the world of policing has certainly changed. But a constant throughout time has been the continued sacrifice of our men and women in blue. The officers we honor today face the daily risks of being police officers. They knew that when they put on their uniform, they would selflessly protect our community and our citizens, and that often meant placing themselves in dangerous situations."
The ceremony's purpose, said Chief Shawn Heubusch, was to honor those who gave a good portion of their lives to protect Batavia's people and property.
"Members we're recognizing today spent a significant amount of time as members of the department," Heubusch said. "Generally, they all retired from the department with at least 20 years of service to our community, many in excess of that. There are approximately 50 deceased officers buried in four cemeteries across Genesee County, including 34 here at St. Joe's and in Elmwood Cemetery."
Flag holders and Batavia PD flags, donated by H.E. Turner Funeral Home, were placed at the gravesite of each of these officers.
"It took an extraordinary effort and commitment to research the names of our deceased brethren in their final resting places," Heubusch said. "I want to recognize the two individuals who rightly deserve our gratitude and thanks. That's Rich Schauf and Steve Robinson."
Steve Johnson, of H.E. Turner, said the funeral home stepped in to assist with the donation because of the company's history, going back to 1910, of supporting local law enforcement.
"We're honored to be here to be a part of today's event, and are committed to ensuring that no Batavia police officer's final resting place goes without recognition," Johnson said. "To that end, I'd also like to announce that we have extended this offer to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and both the Le Roy and Corfu police departments, to provide resources and funding for similar memorials at their officers' graves."
At the gravesite of Anthony Horsch, Batavia's first chief of police, his great-great-grandson David Pixley noted that seeing the gravesite flags was meaningful to his family because so many of its members, in various parts of the nation, have or do serve in law enforcement.
Wojtaszczyk said local officers were grateful for the recognition because they give up a lot to serve their community.
"There are many things a police officer knows when they sign up for this career," Wojtaszczyk said. "Police officers know they will work difficult hours. Police officers know they will miss birthday parties, family events and holidays. Police Officers know that at a moment's notice they will run toward danger without hesitation. Police officers know that we'll see people who are at their worst and perhaps lowest points. And finally, police officers know that we'll be expected to make split-second decisions that will be scrutinized and critiqued afterward. In spite of this, they all choose a life of service and sacrifice."
Table: Former Batavia PD officers whose gravesites are located locally. Heubusch invited family members of former police officers were weren't included this year to contact the department to correct the unintentional oversight.
Name
Date of Birth
Date of Death
Years of Service
James J. Aquino
1920
2003
1950 – 1974
Gasper S. Baudanza
1906
1983
1931 – 1969
Robert G. Casper Sr.
1929
2008
1957-1977
Robert L. DeFreze
1927
2010
1959-1980
Albert G. DelBridge
1897
1960
1915-1952
Larry J. Falkowski
1921
2009
1942-1975
John J. Gravante
1934
2021
1959-1979
Anthony J. Horcsh
1854
1919
1890-1916
William C. Krantz
1901
1971
1933-1946
Frank A. Lachnicht
1937
2008
1966-1996
Andrew J. McCulley
1854
1931
1886-1931
Anthony J. Monteleone
1927
1984
1956-1977
Peter N. Nichols
1929
1980
1952-1978
Richard F. Pastecki
1928
1994
1957-1979
Frank S. Rodon
1911
1993
1936-1966
Bernard J. Ronan
1933
2015
1963-1985
Frank J. Rugala
1924
1990
1952-1974
Edward J. Santora
N/A
2007
1948-1969
Milford J. Smith
1904
1961
1923-1961
Grandview Cemetery:
Robert R. Currier
1930
2012
1964-1984
Earl F. Davis
1923
2001
1947-1981
Robert S. Dombrowski
1939
2016
1962-1993
Matty W. Hamera
1927
2002
1957-1976
Arthur J. Luplow
1881
1962
1915-1941
George K. McCurdy
1907
1977
1936-1971
Salvatore I. Sanfratello
1915
2001
1950-1972
Lloyd “Bud” G. Silvernail
1959
2013
1987-1993
Herbert Snyder
1887
1966
1915-1944
Richard F. Vanderwalker
1931
1996
1962-1987
Elmwood Cemetery:
William J. Lewis
1944
2019
1966-1987
Carl Salway
1890
1945
1921-1944
Charles Lewis Snell
1907
1979
1942-1971
Top photo: At the gravesite of Anthony Horsch, the first police chief of Batavia PD, he is saluted by his great-great-grandson David Pixley
Photos by Howard Owens
Chief Shawn Heubusch
Steve Robinson
Steve Johnson
Eugene Jankowski
Matthew J. Wojtaszczyk
Jim Johnson was a City of
Jim Johnson was a City of Batavia Police Officer during the 1960s he's buried at Grandview Cemetery, he's not on this list.
Chuck, be sure to call
Chuck, be sure to call Batavia PD and let them know.