A new monument in Syracuse honors the ultimate sacrifice made by two officers who were fatally shot by a suspect in Salina. It was unveiled on the two-year anniversary of that tragic night.
The law enforcement community came together where that fateful night began, on Syracuse’s Tipperary Hill before a high-speed chase led the officers to Salina. A monument was unveiled at the site to honor Syracuse Police officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, called "Hooch" by his fellow officers. Officer Jensen lived in and patrolled the neighborhood. Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin said he wants the memorial to carry the officers’ legacies.
“I think there’s the message of who Hooch and Jensen were," he said. "They both put service above self, made an incredible sacrifice that touched this community. Michael is incredibly humorous. Hooch was service driven but, he was also very humorous. So, they were just great people.”
Rusin said the deaths remind the community about the nobility of law enforcement, firefighters, and all first responders.
"I really think that people have to continue to talk about that nobility," he said. "The next day, on April 15, there was a lot of people hurting, but they did their job. And that's pretty extraordinary for them to do that."
County Sheriff Toby Shelley said the loss of both officers is pain his department is still dealing with.
“This wound for us never heals," he said. "It’s a mixed day. Happy to have this monument, sad to have to remember this event. It’s just about memorializing their memory.”
The officer’s memorial was spearheaded by Tipperary Hill Association president Janice McKenna. She said planning began on May 1, 2024, where the board agreed to find a way to pay tribute to the fallen officers. After getting buy-in from department and government leaders, they began raising money through the sale of pavers that surround the monument. McKenna said there is a special paver for the Hoosock Family.
“There are four hearts on the Hoosock paver: One for each of the children and one for Kate," McKenna said. "We hope this tribute makes you proud, we hope it brings you peace. We hope that you come to think of Tipperary Hill as a second home, if you aren’t lucky enough to already live here.”
McKenna said an anonymous former resident recently donated $15,000 to the Jensen-Hoosock Memorial. The gift will add lighting, flags, and benches to the site. It's located in the James Pass Arboretum at the corner of South Avery Ave and Salisbury.
