Pierson C. Near

Syracuse Police Department — Syracuse, NY

Felonious

End of Watch January 7, 1923

The Vigil Panel 44 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 11

Incident

Officer Near was shot and killed with his own service weapon while struggling with a suspect in a local restaurant on Genesee Street. Officer Near had responded to the scene to investigate reports of a drunk and disorderly patron. As Officer Near and the subject struggled, the suspect's brother grabbed Officer Near's service weapon from its holster and shot him. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison on March 5, 1923.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-2707BBF0
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Pierson. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Near served with the Syracuse Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Syracuse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Near.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Syracuse Police Department

Location Syracuse, NY

Platform Identity spd.onondaga.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 7, 1923

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Police Officer Pierson C. Near 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 Syracuse Police Department, 9 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Syracuse Police Department

of 12 officers

75% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious