Prev
Incident
Detective Wasyl Potienko was killed in an automobile accident on Broadway near Lackawanna Street.
Detective Potienko was en route to lunch when his unmarked patrol car was struck by a recycling truck and then pushed into the path of an oncoming pickup truck. Detective Potienko was thrown from his car and received fatal injuries. He was transferred to Erie County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Detective Potienko had served with the Cheektowaga Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp8gqkbyxh050h44s5dj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Wasyl. 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.
Detective Potienko gave the Cheektowaga Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheektowaga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Potienko.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cheektowaga Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Wasyl is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Wasyl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wasyl is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 3 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Wasyl was 44. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Wasyl had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Wasyl was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Wasyl had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wasyl was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wasyl had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.3% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Cheektowaga Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cheektowaga Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Wasyl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cheektowaga Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
