Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Stenzel was accidentally shot and killed by a civilian who mistook the officer for a burglar. Patrolman Stenzel had been checking doors in an alley behind a row of businesses just after 1 a.m. when he shook the door handle at the rear of Freddies Donut Shop at 421 3rd Street. The manager and an employee of the business awakened. They mistook Patrolman Stenzel for a burglar and both opened fire, killing him.
Survivors
Patrolman Stenzel was survived by his wife and son, who also served as a Patrolman for the Niagara Falls Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-092623B8- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Stenzel served with the Niagara Falls Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Niagara Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stenzel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John A. Stenzel is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Niagara Falls Police Department, 2 of 7 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 28.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John A. Stenzel's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Stenzel Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Stenzel is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Niagara Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
