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Incident
Lieutenant Michael Chiapperini was shot and killed while responding to a house fire at a home on Lake Road in Webster.
Lieutenant Chiapperini had responded to the fire as as a volunteer firefighter and was on the first piece of apparatus to arrive at the scene. As he and the other volunteer firefighters exited the pumper truck to start fighting the fire, a subject opened fire on them from an ambush position. Lieutenant Chiapperini immediately assessed the situation and began providing tactical direction to the other firefighters to take cover. He then maneuvered through the fire truck's cab and began moving on foot towards the shooter's location as the other responders took cover.
As he made his way towards the subject he was shot in the head and fatally wounded.
The subject held other responding officers at bay for several hours until finally committing suicide.
Volunteer Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka was also shot and killed by the subject.
Lieutenant Chiapperini had served with the Webster Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Chiapperini gave the Webster Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Webster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Chiapperini.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of Webster Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2012, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 43. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 43. 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. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.6% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Webster Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 3.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Webster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.