Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-348D8002- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
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 Navy (1962â1968) before joining law enforcement.
Patrol Officer David J. Tolsma is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cheektowaga Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David J. Tolsma's cause is highlighted.
How David J. Tolsma Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2020
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David J. Tolsma is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David J. Tolsma was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cheektowaga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
