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Incident
Patrol Officer David Tolsma was shot and killed around 1 a.m. while responding to a robbery call at a Holiday Inn hotel on Genesee Street. The suspect, 23, was an escapee who had been on the run for three days. He was captured 13 hours after murdering Officer Tolsma, and sentenced to 25 years to life. An accomplice, 25 was also sentenced to 25 years to life. The accomplice was paroled on December 28, 2015. The other suspect was paroled on March 4, 2020. Officer Tolsma was a U.S. Navy veteran of four years and had served with the Cheektowaga Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. David is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrol Officer Tolsma gave the Cheektowaga Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheektowaga community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David J. Tolsma served in the U.S. Navy (1962â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cheektowaga Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 32. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
David was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Cheektowaga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cheektowaga Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, David among them.
Military Service
David J. Tolsma served in the U.S. Navy (1962–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit David J. Tolsma’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cheektowaga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
