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Incident
Patrolman Leo Bajerski succumbed to a gunshot wound when he was shot while attempting to repossess a car at a garage on Transit Road in Depew at 6 pm. He had gone to a garage, at the intersection of Transit Road and West Terrace Boulevard in Depew, with several other officers to enforce the court order. The owner of the shop told the officers he would get the keys from his office. While the officers were waiting, the owner fired one round from a shotgun, striking Patrolman Bajerski in the head. The man committed suicide after exchanging shots with other officers. Patrolman Bajerski was transported to the hospital, where he died from his wound the next day. Patrolman Bajerski was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served with the Lancaster Police Department for almost two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two young children, father, mother, three brothers, and three sisters.
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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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.
Patrolman Bajerski gave the Lancaster Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lancaster 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
Leo Bajerski served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lancaster Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Leo is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Leo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Leo 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 1933, 6 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leo was 34. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Leo had served 1.9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Leo was 34. 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. Leo had served 1.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leo was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leo had served 1.9 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%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Lancaster Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lancaster Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Leo among them.
Where
Military Service
Leo Bajerski served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Leo Bajerski’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 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lancaster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
