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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.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Syracuse Police Department has lost 12 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Pierson is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Pierson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Pierson is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 1 officer at Syracuse Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
January holds 11.1% of these deaths at Syracuse Police Department; April holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 33.3%.
January holds 8.9% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Syracuse Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Syracuse Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Pierson among them.
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James A. Harvey
Aug 1, 1893
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Ernest T. Griffin Jun 12, 1921
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Pierson C. Near
Jan 7, 1923
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George E. Caldwell Jul 10, 1928
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James Hannon
Jun 13, 1929
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Michael English
Sep 22, 1935
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Andrew W. Wolfrom
Feb 1, 1937
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John S. Jarmacz Aug 30, 1947
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James Michael Considine
Apr 10, 1954
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Mercer E. Weiskotten
Sep 23, 1954
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Wallie Howard, Jr.
Oct 30, 1990
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Michael E. Jensen
Apr 14, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Syracuse Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
