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Gone But Not Forgotten
Fallen Deputies making the Ultimate Sacrifice
Deputy Simon J. Bermingham E.O.W. January 10, 1912
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 47
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon: Gun, unknown type
- Offender Executed in 1912
Deputy Bermingham was shot and killed after responding, with other officers, to a report that a murder had taken place. A young man had shot and killed his father after a dispute. When the officers arrived at the scene they were met with a hail of gunfire and Deputy Bermingham killed.
The suspect was arrested at the scene. He was charged with first degree murder and later execute at Auburn Prison on March 31, 1913.
Badge depicted above is similar the Deputy would have been wearing in 1912. It is not the same badge number he would have had assigned to him.
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 48
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date:
- Monday September 7, 1931
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Acquitted
Special Deputy Charles Sova was shot a day after he celebrated his 48th birthday, killed as he and a deputy sheriff attempted to arrest a burglary suspect at the intersection of Cromwell Drive and Landing Road.
The suspect produced a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Sova in the abdomen, fatally wounding him. He died from the wound the following day.
Monroe County officials, who said they had a open and shut case, were shocked when a jury acquitted the suspect of murder, but convicted him of weapons charges.
Deputy Sova had previously served with the United States Navy and was survived by his wife and one child.
Special Deputy Joseph G. Munz E.O.W. Feb. 26, 1932
Special Deputy Charles Frederick Sova E.O.W. September 8, 1931
Special Deputy Joseph G. Munz E.O.W. Feb. 26, 1932
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 57
- Tour 10 years
- Badge Not available
- Cause Struck by vehicle
- Incident Date Thursday, February 25, 1932
Special Deputy Joseph Munz succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic.
He was transported to a local hospital suffering from a fractured skull and internal injuries.
Deputy Munz had served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and two children. His Grandson (Joseph Marhatta) joined the MCSO in 1966 and retired as a Investigative Sergeant in 1997.
Deputy William Marshall E.O.W. April 3, 1946
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
Special Deputy Joseph G. Munz E.O.W. Feb. 26, 1932
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 50
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Cause Automobile crash
Deputy William Marshall was killed when the patrol car he was driving overturned.
He lost control of the vehicle for an unknown reason and the vehicle left the roadway and overturned, killing Deputy Marshall.
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
Age 51
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Deputy James I. Conheady 51 suffers a heart attack and dies behind the wheel of his patrol car after serving court papers on March 25, 1947.
Deputy James Conheady's great nephew Deputy Rory Conheady started working the MCSO in 2015 .
Deputy John Pullano E.O.W. May 16, 1957
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
Deputy James I. Conheady E.O.W. March 25, 1947
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 29
- Tour Not available
- Badge 71
- Cause Motorcycle crash
- Incident Date Saturday, May 11, 1957
Deputy Pullano died on May 16, 1957 from injuries he sustained on May 11, 1957 when a vehicle turned into the path of his police motorcycle.
As a result of Deputy Pullano's death, both the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Rochester Police Department, began requiring all motor officers to wear helmets.
Deputy Pullano was survived by his wife and son. His son joined the MCSO in 1978 and retired in 2008.
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
INCIDENT DETAILS
Age 68
- Tour 39 years
- Badge Not available
- Cause Automobile crash
Undersheriff George Conway and his wife were killed while returning from a New York Sheriff's Association meeting in which he was representing the agency.
Their vehicle was struck head on by a moving van.
Undersheriff Conway had served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for 39 years.
Deputy Harold E. Knitter E.O.W. May 29, 1966
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
INCIDENT DETAILS
- Cause Stroke
On May 20, 1966 while assigned to duties at the penitentiary suffered a fatal stroke.
Deputy Harold E. Knitter was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where he passed away.
Deputy Harold E. Knitter was assigned to road-patrol most of his career, working the Scottsvile, Gates, and Wheatland area. Deputy Harold E. Knitter was assigned to the penitentiary for a six month period after a surgical procedure.
He was survived by his wife and 2 children. His son Deputy Hawley "Lee" Knitter joined the MCSO and retired after 20 years of service.
Deputy Francis E. Dombrowski E.O.W. February 6, 1970
Undersheriff George A. Conway E.O.W. August 13, 1965
Deputy Francis E. Dombrowski E.O.W. February 6, 1970
INCIDENT DETAILS
- Cause Automobile Accident
On the evening of January 31, 1969, Deputy Francis Dombrowski was involved in an accident on Scottsville Road near North Road in the Village of Scottsville.
Although the circumstances of the accident were not known, it was believed to be the result of a violator pursuit. Witnesses stated that Deputy Dombrowski had engaged his lights and siren just before the accident with an oncoming car. The force of the accident nearly cut the patrol car in half. Both Deputy Dombrowski and the other driver were trapped in their vehicles.
Deputy Dombrowski was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where he remained unconscious for several months. He died February 6, 1970, from injuries sustained in the accident.
Sergeant Robert Skelton E.O.W. June 23, 1972
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
Deputy Francis E. Dombrowski E.O.W. February 6, 1970
INCIDENT DETAILS
- Cause Automobile Accident
On the rainy evening of June 21, 1972, Sergeant Robert Skelton, Jr., affectionately known as “Whitey” to his friends and colleagues, was on routine patrol in the Town of Pittsford.
At about 8:30 p.m. Sergeant Skelton was southbound on Clover Street when an intoxicated northbound driver crossed into Skelton’s lane. Although Sergeant Skelton pulled to the right, he could not avoid the oncoming car.
He was taken to the hospital, where he died 30 hours later. The other driver was taken to the hospital in serious condition, but did survive his injuries. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Sergeant Skelton began his career with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in July 1962 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 1971.
Sergeant Peter J. Rotolo E.O.W. September 20, 1974
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
INCIDENT DETAILS
Cause Heart Attack
On September 9, 1974, a fight broke out between two inmates assigned to kitchen duties in the Monroe County Jail.
Sergeant Rotolo and several other deputies responded to the incident. During the struggle that ensued, Sergeant Rotolo was thrown against the wall by an inmate. Sergeant Rotolo suffered a massive heart attack and slumped to the floor. A jail nurse provided mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and he was transported to Rochester General Hospital.
Sergeant Rotolo remained in a coma until his death on September 20.
Sergeant Rotolo joined the Monroe County Penitentiary Staff in 1958 and was later transferred to the Monroe County Jail when the penitentiary was closed.
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
Corporal Catherine M. Crawford E.O.W. March 5, 1995
INCIDENT DETAILS
Cause Assault
In May 1993, Corporal Catherine M. Crawford attempted to break up a fight between two inmates. As a result of this altercation, Corporal Crawford sustained injuries to her hand and knee.
The knee injury required surgery to repair the damage, but prior to the scheduled operation, Corporal Crawford experienced serious breathing difficulties. After extensive medical testing, it was determined that Corporal Crawford had developed blood clots that lodged in her lungs as a result of the injury to her knee.
Surgery to remove the blood clots was ruled out due to their location. After further tests, Corporal Crawford was accepted as a candidate for a lung transplant. It was while waiting for the transplant that Corporal Crawford died on March 5, 1995.
Corporal Crawford began her career with the Sheriff’s Office on October 4, 1982 as a part-time deputy and was promoted to full-time status in July 1985. In November 1992, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
She was survived by her husband Deputy Lawrence Crawford (who joined MCSO in 1978 and retired 2004) and 3 children.
Monroe County Monument For Fallen Deputies
On this date October 24, 1996, the dedication of the Monroe County Sheriff Office, Deputy’s Memorial Honoring Fallen Heroes had taken place near the entrance of the Hall of Justice, Rochester,NY.
The Memorial has been relocated to the center of the Civic Center Plaza.
A committee of Monroe County Deputy Sheriffs and civilian employees headed by Captain John Perone , including,
Deputy P.Accursio, Deputy M. Samon , Deputy M. Wilthuhn ,
Deputy R. Battaglia, Civilian F. Velte, Sculptor W. Yager. Took part in the Design, planning, location and dedication ceremony of the Memorial.
The Memorial was initially set with a garden , flag pole with the United States Flag and lighting ,near the main entrance to the Hall of Justice.
Dignitaries from the County, Sheriff’s Department, County Legislature, and Monroe County Sheriff Andrew P. Meloni, spoke . Also the National Anthem was sung and Taps prefor
On this date October 24, 1996, the dedication of the Monroe County Sheriff Office, Deputy’s Memorial Honoring Fallen Heroes had taken place near the entrance of the Hall of Justice, Rochester,NY.
The Memorial has been relocated to the center of the Civic Center Plaza.
A committee of Monroe County Deputy Sheriffs and civilian employees headed by Captain John Perone , including,
Deputy P.Accursio, Deputy M. Samon , Deputy M. Wilthuhn ,
Deputy R. Battaglia, Civilian F. Velte, Sculptor W. Yager. Took part in the Design, planning, location and dedication ceremony of the Memorial.
The Memorial was initially set with a garden , flag pole with the United States Flag and lighting ,near the main entrance to the Hall of Justice.
Dignitaries from the County, Sheriff’s Department, County Legislature, and Monroe County Sheriff Andrew P. Meloni, spoke . Also the National Anthem was sung and Taps preformed.