U.S. Navy · United States 
David Tolsma
1977
David J. Tolsma served the U.S. Navy for 6 years. David also served in the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Patrol Officer David Tolsma was shot and killed around 1 a.m. while responding to a robbery call at a Holiday Inn hotel on Genesee Street. The suspect, 23, was an escapee who had been on the run for three days. He was captured 13 hours after murdering Officer Tolsma, and sentenced to 25 years to life. An accomplice, 25 was also sentenced to 25 years to life. The accomplice was paroled on December 28, 2015. The other suspect was paroled on March 4, 2020. Officer Tolsma was a U.S. Navy veteran of four years and had served with the Cheektowaga Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
1962 – 1968
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Cheektowaga Police Department
Patrol Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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