Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello

As part of Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres honored Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello as the team's Fan of the Year.

Sanfratello, a 34-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, died in the line of duty on March 10 while dealing with a disturbance at Batavia Downs. Two Batavia residents are accused of resisting arrest. Michael Elmore is accused of using a heavy piece of jewelry, a chain necklace, to hit Sanfratello during a struggle.

The tribute included a video highlighting Sanfratello's career in law enforcement and the bond Tom and his son Ian shared through their love of the Sabres. Ian and his sisters, Kyla and Alexis, were on the ice for a presentation of a memorial jersey to the family.  The Sheriff's Office Color Guard presented the colors and the National Anthem was sung by by Buffalo resident Cami Clune, who also has a bit of a connection to Batavia in that she has performed at Eli Fish Brewing.

For previous coverage of the passing of Sgt. Sanfratello, click here.

Last week, in the wake of the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, the Oakfield Betterment Committee distributed blue lights to local businesses and Oakfield residents.

Betterment Committee President Jamie Lindsley stated:

The Oakfield community likes to support one of their own, as was evident ever since the line-of-duty loss of Sgt. Sanfratello, a member of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. Last week, caring citizen Kristen Porter decided to show support for Sgt. Sanfratello's daughter Alexis, who is a student at Oakfield-Alabama Central School, by lighting a blue light in honor of the fallen deputy. Another community member, Kate Engle, took this tribute to the entire community by engaging the assistance of Oakfield Betterment Committee members. Together, they contacted local Home Depots, Lowes, and other stores and arranged pickups and distributions to the entire Oakfield area and some surrounding communities. Joshua Schultz took it upon himself to drive all the way from Syracuse with a delivery of 50 blue light bulbs. A dozen bulbs were donated to illuminate all front windows of School House Manor in the middle of the village. In total, over 300 blue light bulbs were donated and handed out to the community, and each night, the night is brightly lit blue to honor our fallen deputy and show our support as a community for Alexis.

The committee shared these photos with The Batavian.

For prior coverage of Sgt. Sanfratello, click here.

Statement from Sheriff William Sheron:

On behalf of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to thank the community, emergency service responders, fellow law enforcement agencies, and state and local government officials for your immense support to the Sanfratello and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office family during our time of loss.  We have received support locally, from across the state, and nationally and your words and gestures are very much appreciated.  Sergeant Sanfratello was a special person to all who knew him, and he will be missed tremendously.

Press release:

The Town of Alexander Republican Committee is deeply saddened by the loss of our committee member, Thomas Sanfratello.  

Tom started as a Republican Committee member for District #1 and never said "no" as further positions became available.  He didn't hesitate to make himself available when a position became open on the Town Board and then, most recently, a representative to the Genesee County Republican Committee.  Tom's knowledge of civil and town law and his strong commitment to the residents of the town of Alexander made him an exceptional addition to the Board.  He will be sadly missed by all.

Due to New York State Board of Election laws, the Alexander Republican Committee has to act quickly to submit a replacement for Council member Sanfratello.  That candidate will become the Republican candidate in the November 2024 General Election.  The Alexander Republican Committee will have a meeting on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Alexander Town Hall.  Any Town of Alexander registered Republican who is interested in becoming endorsed by our Committee for the position of Council member, please contact Chairperson Barbara Eddy at 585-507-9930.  

For those who may have missed some of the stories and events, here's a recap of our coverage of news and events related to the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello:

• Sheriff's Office sergeant dies in the line of duty while trying to make arrest at Batavia Downs
• Batavia man charged with manslaughter in death of Sheriff's Office sergeant during confrontation at Batavia Downs
• Court documents say Elmore used chains to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold
• Funeral services announced for Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello
• DA explains status of criminal charges against man allegedly involved in death of Sheriff's sergeant
• Clarification and Correction: 'thick piece of jewelry' allegedly used in attack on officer
• Man accused in death of Sheriff's sergeant tells friends and family, 'my life over'
• Photo: Patrol vehicle parked at Sheriff's Office in honor of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello
• Law enforcement leaders recall Sanfratello as 'incredible human being' while recounting events that led to his death
• Fundraising campaign set up to assist family of Sgt. Sanfratello
• Genesee County offers moment of silence for sergeant whose 'impact stands as his legacy'
• Hard work, knowledge, dedication, kindness, and Hot Wheels: Sgt. Sanfratello remembered by those who worked with him
• Photos: 'Running for Heroes' at Van Detta in honor of Sgt. Sanfratello
• Photos: Body of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello carried to Call Arena at GCC, where services will be held
• At Darien Lake, 'Tommy had it under control'
• A full showing of support for Sgt. Sanfratello
• 'Godspeed GS-9': Sgt. Sanfratello honored in service at GCC

In a service inside the Call Arena at Genesee Community College, Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello was remembered as a man who was committed to protecting and serving our community, a man who loved his children, and as a man who enjoyed his work and his hobbies.

"Grandma Sanfratello stopped me last night," said Pastor Ryan Macdonald of City Church, who officiated the service. "She said, 'Come here, pastor.' She called me over for a beautiful moment, and she whispered to me, she said, 'Pastor, please tell the people tomorrow how much Tom loved this community. Please tell them tomorrow that Jesus gave us time for a moment, for a season, and then Jesus came, and he walked him through those pearly gates and into heaven.' She went on to tell me, 'Tell the people today that Tom passed doing what he loved to do. No greater love than a man show than that he would lay his life down for his friends. Please tell them, pastor, that Tom loved being a servant and that Tom shared his love as long as he could.' 

"I believe with all my heart," Macdonald added, "that Sgt Sanfratello understood God's love."

Sanfratello died early Sunday morning at Batavia Downs while trying to deal with two customers who had been asked to leave 34 Rush. One of those customers is accused of violently attacking the 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, reportedly pulling a heavy chain from around his neck and striking Sanfrantello with it. The cause of death has not been released, but the suspect, Michael J. Elmore, 33, of Batavia, has been charged with manslaughter.

Saturday's funeral was attended by hundreds of first responders, including police officers from throughout the region and from as far away as New York City and Chicago.  There were also hundreds of members of the community at the Call Arena, including friends and family.

His sister Michelle Panasiewicz and his son Ian Sanfratello, along with Sheriff William Sheron, were the speakers.

Panasiewicz recalled growing up with her brother and watching him grow into a man who served his community and loved his family, especially his children, Ian, Kyla, and Alexis.

"Nothing made him prouder than spending time with them and watching them grow into the people that they have become," Panasiewicz said.

Growing up, as siblings do, Tom and Michelle had their differences, but as adults, she said, Tom was the strength of the family.

"When I had a question that my husband Joel couldn't answer, I'd call or text Tom," she said. "More often than not, he had the answer. We leaned on each other when we needed to, and we always knew that we were there for each other no matter what time of day or night without needing words."

She asked how she and the family would go on without Tom.

"I guess I have to learn that I have my family, my friends, my loved ones and we will continue to go on," Panasiewicz said. "This memory will live on, and all of us will continue to have a memorial of some kind. Or, like I said, his memory will never go away. He was loved by too many for his memory to ever go away."

Sheron noted that Sanfratello dedicated his entire adult life to serving people, first as an EMT who put himself through training, working in Buffalo and Rochester, as a volunteer for the Alexander Fire Department, as a dispatcher in Batavia, before joining the Sheriff's Office in 1992 as a dispatcher.

"You knew, right from the beginning, there's something special about Tommy," Sheron said. "You know, there are individuals when you hire him, you just go, 'This guy is going to go somewhere. Tommy would take on tasks in the communication room that might have been lingering for years. But Tommy's energy, he just got in there and got it done."

Sanfratello collected Hot Wheels and Legos and attended conventions all over the country for collectors.  He loved children and kept a bucket of Hot Wheels in his office to share with children who visited the office, either with department family members or when caught up in some serious situation.

It's no surprise, then, that one of Sanfratello's favorite duties was helping to organize the Christmastime Shop with a Cop at Walmart.

"He loved doing that," Sheron said. "He loved kids. He loved helping people."

Ian, now himself a corrections officer who graduated from the academy top in his class, recalled seeing his dad in action at work and said he was clearly a leader in the Sheriff's Office.

See also: At Darien Lake, 'Tommy had it under control'

"He did try to steer everybody in the right direction," Ian said. "Even if he didn't see eye-to-eye with someone, he would always have their back and trust them with his life."

He said, "Deputies would tell me how he was the glue that held the department together. They don't know what they will do without him.  One way of looking at it, as I have the past couple of days, when he passed away was he was doing what he loved. He loved working overtime."

Ian recalled how they shared love for Buffalo Sabres hockey. He said he will miss their phone calls -- win or lose, they would critique the games, either what the Sabres did right or what they need to improve. 

"It won't be the same any more ," he said, but he hopes someday he will have a son to carry on the family tradition.

Ian closed his remarks: "Godspeed GS-9."

See Also: A full showing of support for Sgt. Sanfratello

• To listen to an MP3 of the Last Call for Sgt. Sanfratello, GS-9, Click Here.
• To view more photos from the service, Click Here

Several contingencies of law enforcement and first responders represented the region Saturday during the funeral service for Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty March 10.

Throughout the week flags have been set at half mast throughout Genesee County and in downtown Batavia, people have made memorial one-mile runs, the county court house cupola has been lit up in blue, a sheriff’s cruiser has been adorned with flowers by citizens in Sanfratello’s memory in front of the Sheriff’s Office, and countless condolences and heartfelt messages have been expressed via news articles and social media for an undeniable fallen hero.

A burial was scheduled to follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

These are file photos of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello working on one of his favorite details -- law enforcement at Darien Lake concerts.

In 2012, I did a "ride along" with patrols at the concerts to get a first-hand perspective of what went into dealing with all the issues that used to arise on concert nights.

While I had run into Tom on patrol before, working with him at Darien Lake was really my first chance to get to know him a bit.  He struck me as kind, professional, caring, and dedicated.

He took the job seriously without taking himself seriously. There was a complete absence of ego in his approach to enforcing the law.

When two young people climbed up a communications tower, I remember him being simultaneously amused by the folly of it and sincerely concerned about their safety.

At Saturday's funeral service for Sgt. Sanfratello, Sheriff William Sheron spoke of "Tommy" taking charge at Darien Lake.

"As we all know, Tom was the guy out at Darien Lake," Sheron said. "He was the first one there, and he was the last one out. He oversaw that venue for years and years. And again, when Tommy was on, I didn't worry about anything. Tommy, I knew, had things under control. We were dealing with tens of thousands of people and many, many officers. Tommy had it all under control."

Unrelated from Darien Lake, we received two more tributes to Sgt. Sanfratello to share.

Eric Olson, retired from the Sheriff's Office:

I’ve known Tom for a long time.  He is a true friend and law enforcement brother.  I will miss the 4th of July gatherings and the occasional conversations here and there.

From Deborah Shea, principal financial clerk, Sheriff's Office:

As we navigate through these next few days, I’ve thought a lot about my boss, my friend, my co-worker and most of all, my annoying “big brother” this week. 

That’s what comes to my mind when I think of Sgt. Tom (Tommy) Sanfratello.  We worked 50 feet from each other for 12 years, and we argued and teased one another just like brother and sister, even crying once in a while. He was so maddening at times, but at the end of the day, we were friends, and tomorrow was another day. And when he walked out of the office last Friday and said, as always, “See you Monday, maybe,” it was not supposed to be goodbye! 

I would sing along to the radio, and he’d say, “Don’t quit your day job,” and of course I’d say, “You wish!” He’d also say, every day, 10 times a day, “Whatever, Shea!” And on occasion, in typical Tommy fashion, he’d tell you, “Sink or swim!” I never thought I’d ever miss these words!

His presence In our office was larger than any of us could have imagined until we walked back in Monday morning and the loss hit me immediately.  

He had his quirks, his funny habits and definitely a Hot Wheels and Lego fetish, but it was him and who he was.  He loved to read and joke around and make his funny comments.  He loved having his annual Easter egg hunt and fantasy football league.  He wore many hats in our office and has big shoes to fill, and it will be a hard act to follow. No matter what he did in his life and career, his biggest accomplishments are his 3 amazing kids, Ian, Kyla and Lexi. He loved them more than life itself.  He was not a fall-all-over-you or mushy kind of guy, but he honestly had a big heart and really cared for the people closest to him, especially his family, friends and our department for sure. 

Thanks for your friendship and all the laughs.

You will be, as they say, forever missed and never forgotten!

Fly high GS 9

Finally, retired Batavia PD lieutenant James Henning had this to say about Saturday's service:

What a tremendous outpouring of support shown today for the family, friends, fellow citizens and coworkers of GS-9!

The entire wake and funeral service was incredibly organized and a fitting tribute to a great man and public servant.

GCSO, BPD, LPD & NYSP did a fantastic job of working shoulder to shoulder to make this all possible, along with the numerous fire departments and EMS in Genesee County.

Also, the entire staff of GCC for hosting this memorial and area restaurants for catering the gathering at the college afterward.

The police and fire agencies present were amazing from as far away as Chicago PD and NYPD.

R.I.P.  GS-9

The casket of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty on Sunday morning, was carried by Hearst on Friday morning from the Gilmartin Funeral Home to the Call Arena at GCC.

The route went down Park Road, past the Sheriff's Office, then to Route 98, to West Saile Drive, to Bank Street, to Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive.

The casket was then carried into Call Arena by a Sheriff's Office detail prior to calling hours on Friday afternoon.

Sanfratello's funeral will be held in the Call Arena at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty early Sunday morning, was honored by about 50 first responders and family members with a mile run around the track at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia.

The run was part of a national program called "Running For Heroes," which is comprised of young people who run in honor of a first responder who dies in the line of duty.

Thursday's run was coordinated with Morgan Blann, a 13-year-old from New Jersey who connected with runners in Batavia through Facetime and then her actual run was live streamed on Facebook.

Members of law enforcement in her community joined her on her run.

Morgan told the participants that since she was six, she's dreamed of working in law enforcement as a K-9 handler. 

To view a video of Morgan's run, click here.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Civil/Records oOffice will be temporarily closing at noon on Friday, March 15.

For all non-Civil/Records matters, please call:

• 585-343-5000 (non-emergency 911 Emergency Services Dispatch Center phone line)
• 585-345-3000 (administrative phone line)
• 9-1-1 for emergency matters

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but truly appreciate the community’s understanding and patience while we take the afternoon to honor our fallen comrade, Civil Bureau Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello. 

The Civil/Records Office will resume normal weekday business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) on Monday, March 18.

NOTE: The Batavian reached out to current and former members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office to write up remembrances of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty while serving and protecting his community on Sunday morning.  Below are the remembrances we received. While we limited the request this round to people associated with the Sheriff's Office, we will publish more remembrances from the community if we receive a sufficient number.  We invite other first responders, whether in law enforcement, fire services, EMS, or any community group, especially those of his friends and neighbors in Alexander, where he served as a town board member, to submit remembrances.  Email your statements to howard@thebatavian.com, and please be sure to include at least "Sanfratello" in the subject line.  If we receive a sufficient number by Friday evening, we will try to have them published by Saturday morning.  Please also include your full name and any appropriate title in the body of the email.

Former Sheriff Gary Maha:

When I received the phone call early Sunday morning from a deputy, who was assigned to make notifications of Sgt. Tom Sanfratello’s death, I was shocked.  I thought to myself that if this were going to happen to someone, it wouldn’t be Sergeant Sanfratello. He was outgoing, very friendly to everyone and easy to get along with. However, he knew how to do his job and would do it well. It has been very emotional as it has been with his family, friends and especially current and past members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office who knew and worked with Tom. 

I remember when I hired him as a deputy sheriff in 1996. He was a young, thin guy working in dispatch. I am sure some thought why did they hire him as a deputy! I watched him mature, gain knowledge, and experience, and become an excellent officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and became an excellent road patrol supervisor and supervisor of the Civil Bureau. 

He loved working for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and loved being a law enforcement officer. As someone said, “he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.” Tom was always dependable. If you asked him to do something, he would do it and do it right. He was instrumental in the implementation of our Public Safety Computer System and was a great source for younger officers with his 32 years of experience. He will be missed. RIP, Sergeant Sanfratello, and God Bless You.

Retired Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble:

I remember when Tommy started with the Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher.  He was a skinny, twenty-two-year-old kid.  When they hired him as a deputy sheriff, I remember thinking this is a mistake, he'll never cut it as a deputy.  I was wrong.  Tommy was like a sponge -- a quick learner, a problem solver, always wanting to know more.  

Tommy filled out physically and got involved in as many things as he could.  He was even on the SCUBA team.  He was an overtime hog, working every extra detail that he could.  I wonder how many hours he put in at Darien Lake Theme Park.  He supervised almost every concert, working closely with the theme park managers to make concert nights go as smoothly as possible, and he was fearless.  He was often first into a messy situation, leading from the front.  

Tommy had a great sense of humor, a great smile, and the laugh of someone who enjoyed life. We shared many laughs together. We also shared an addiction. We were both addicted to Mountain Dew. My wife even shared an addiction with Tom: an addiction to the video game Candy Crush. 

I am just one of many, many people who will greatly miss Tom.    

Chief Deputy Joseph Graff:

The loss of Sgt. Sanfratello has been a tragedy for his family, our law enforcement family and our community.  Tom was a valued resource. His most recent role was as the sergeant in charge of our civil division and warrants. Tom always made himself available, whether on duty or not, to answer a question or phone call and was often sought out for his expertise in civil matters.  

Tom had a remarkable ability to recall sections of the law that are not often used and had a system of organization that kept things running.  Even after 32 years in Law Enforcement, Tom was still willing to go out into our community and do the job.  Tom’s heart was evident in the annual Easter egg hunt he would hold at his home, hiding thousands of eggs and inviting the families of our office.  

It was an honor to have had the opportunity to know Tom professionally and personally. His presence will truly be missed in our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sgt. Sanfratello. Godspeed GS 9.

Investigator Chad Minuto:

When I was approached by Howard to provide a memory or story about Tommy, it took me some time to comb through our past twenty years together.  There are so many memories together that it would be impossible to choose just one.  I think I would rather like to say a few words about my friend.  

I myself became a lot closer to Tommy over the past seven years after being promoted to Investigator. I would visit Tommy daily to bend his ear.  Tommy was the pulse of the department.  He was highly adept at how our office operated and played a crucial role in keeping the “engine running.”   Tommy was organized “In his own way” and took a systematic approach to everything he did.   Tommy was an extremely hard worker, a devoted deputy, and someone who cared deeply about the Sheriff’s Office.  His work ethic, experience, and wealth of knowledge will be irreplaceable.   

Tommy not only loved the Sheriff’s Department, but above that, he loved his family and children.  Tommy, himself, was a giant kid at heart.  He was an avid collector of Hot Wheels and Legos, often traveling across the country to attend and work at toy shows.  I remember the smile on Tommy’s face when I told him my son had become interested in Legos.  Tommy would routinely show me sneak peeks of unreleased Legos and share his duplicates of Lego mini figures with my son.  Personally, I think Tommy shared these Legos because he felt bad knowing that I would not find these in stores.  Why, you ask? Well, Tommy had likely cleaned out the inventory locally. 

These past few days have been so surreal, and it is still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Tommy is gone. I know there will be times in the weeks and months ahead when something will remind me of Tommy and stop me in my tracks. I welcome these moments, as they will ensure that I will never forget what Tommy meant to this department or me. We will miss you, GS-9!

Dispatcher Jason Holman:

Sgt. Sanfratello, the Sheriff's sergeant, provided a calm and consistent veteran command presence to our office.  He was a leader and mentor to those around him.  He had a large part in the training and development of most of the deputies and investigators we have now.  His long career and vast experience were an asset to new patrols as they came into their own.  His knowledge of the operations of our agency, both out on patrol and within the Civil and Records Departments, will be sorely missed and not easy to replace quickly.  He oversaw special detail assignments/scheduling at locations such as Darien Lake and Batavia Downs.  His command of the staff at those assignments will be difficult to replace.

He was also an advocate for the work we do in the dispatch center because of his history there.  Many times, as the first point of contact with someone in need, that dispatcher can set the tone for a call for service or demonstrate the effectiveness and professionalism of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.  Sgt. Sanfratello understood the importance of recruiting, hiring, training and retaining quality Emergency Services Dispatchers.

As a former union president, he advocated for his members. He was always searching for and often finding ways to improve the quality of life, salary, and benefits provided to our staff.

On the other side, Tom Sanfratello, the man, was a son, brother, father, uncle and, significant other, friend to many who loved him.  Outside of work, he had an affinity for collecting diecast cars, specifically Hot Wheels.  That hobby took him all over the country to shows and swap meets and garnered him a whole different community of friends and colleagues that I'm sure are also feeling the pain of his loss.  More recently, he had taken up collecting and building Lego sets.  What started as fun for him and his youngest daughter, Lexi, turned into another hobby and a large collection.  He was a family man who loved his children.  Ian recently graduated from the Corrections Officer Academy at the top of his class, and I don't think you could wipe the smile off of Tom's face that week.  He was very proud of Ian's accomplishments and the fact that he was able to work alongside him.

I'd also like to remind you that March 21 will be the one-year anniversary of Emergency Services Dispatcher Andrew Merkel's untimely passing.  Our staff is also dealing with the weight of that anniversary.  He shared many qualities with Tom and he is still sorely missed by many at our office.

Lastly, I'll leave you with something that has always struck home with me during a loss.  For those who are hurting during this:

"Keep fighting.  Persevere.  Those who left us too soon are proud of you. Even though they may not have had the chance to say it."

Forgive me, as I don't recall where I once heard/saw that and could not tell you who may have said it.  But some version of those words has stuck with me for a long time as I have dealt with loss in my own life.

Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein added to the many condolences expressed for the loss of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, who died this past Sunday during an encounter with an individual at Batavia Downs. 

Stein said the 54-year-old was a graduate of Alexander High School, a huge Buffalo Sabres fan, and an avid fan of the New York Yankees. He was also a devoted dad who loved spending time with family, especially his children. 

He began his career on Feb. 29, 1992 at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher and was appointed deputy sheriff in 1996 and 11 years later road patrol sergeant. During his years of service, he twice earned Deputy of the Year and was awarded several commendations, for which colleagues have spoken nothing but praise about his professionalism and contributions. 

“This Legislature body mourns his loss,” Stein said Wednesday during the group’s meeting at the Old Court House. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. His impact on our community stands as his legacy. May we all find comfort in knowing he was protecting us in his service. May you rest in peace, Tom.”

Sanfratello was born in Batavia to Anthony and Dorothy Sanfratello and died on March 10 in the line of duty “while serving and protecting the citizens of Genesee County,” Stein said. 

She asked for a moment of silence before beginning the Legislature meeting to honor a man who has been held in high regard by countless municipal, law enforcement and community members. The county's Old Court House cupola can be seen lit up in blue each evening, and flags have been lowered in Sanfratello's memory.

The Deputy Sheriff’s Association has established a fundraiser to help Sanfratello’s family with expenses, and calling hours from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and an 11 a.m. funeral service have been set for Call Arena at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia, with a burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. 

Sanfratello, who was referred to on Wednesday by fellow law enforcement as a friendly, go-to guy for answers and an incredible human being, is survived by his mother and children, Ian, Kyla, and Alexis Sanfratello; his wife; sisters, nieces, and nephews; his partner; two great-nieces; two great-nephews; along with many cousins and countless friends.

“He also leaves his brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” Stein said. 

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist the family of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty on Sunday.

The Deputy Sheriff's Association organized the campaign and will ensure the money is distributed to the family. The Batavian confirmed that this is a DSA-backed fundraiser.

The association set a goal of $50,000. More than $8,000 has been raised so far.

To donate, click here.

While a narrative of events at Batavia Downs early Sunday morning that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello was shared at a press conference on Wednesday, the 32-year veteran of the force was remembered as a great co-worker, good friend, and loving father.

Sheriff William Sheron said, "Wow. Unbelievable person. I have known Tommy since he began. He was just an incredible human being. He was always there for everybody else. He had many important functions here in the department. He ran our civil department. He was on the State Sheriffs Association accreditation programs as an assessor. He oversaw our Darien Lake details. As you know, we have had many, many concerts out there and many, many thousands of people. He ran them flawlessly. Tommy was one that we counted on, and any time he was involved, we knew we didn't have to worry about anything."

He added later, "Tommy never said, 'No.' If you needed something, Tommy was there. It didn't matter who you were or what time of day or night it was; if he could help you, he would help you. The guys could always use them as a resource, too, you know. If they had something they weren't quite certain of, 'Okay, let's ask Tommy. Tommy will know.'"

District Attorney Kevin Finnell said, " I'd like to add that I also have known Tom since he first hit the road. We talked on a regular basis about cases and issues. He'd often call and say, 'I think I know the answer, but he always did. He never lost his enthusiasm for the job and for what he did. He was a very, very good police officer, and he was a better man. So we will all suffer a loss for a long time to come. We will miss him dearly. I'd also like to express my thanks for the community support thus far, the outpouring of support, not only for the Sanfratello family, but in the assistance of this investigation."

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said, "Tommy was a resource for every law enforcement officer in this county, not just within the sheriff's office. I mean, I personally called Tom on many occasions to ask for advice on something, whether it dealt with a civil matter or whatever. And he never said no. He always answered his phone. He was one of the first guys that I ever met when I got to Batavia. He was just a great guy, and, you know, just a snippet from the videos before this encounter occurred, Tom was talking to people within the casino, and he's smiling and laughing with them. I mean, that's just Tom's personality."

Sanfratello's son, Ian Sanfratello, closed out the press conference by reading a written statement that concluded, "I want everybody to know my dad. My dad was one of a kind. An amazing dad, son, brother and co-worker. He loved my sisters, Lexi and Kyla with all of his heart and he loved to spend time with us. I know we will all cherish the memories we have with him. He will never be forgotten. He will be missed immensely by all who had the chance to not only know him but also talk to him. And he will always be loved."

The press conference opened with Undersheriff Bradley Mazur and Heubusch recounting the events of Sunday morning at Batavia Downs, beginning with the call of a disturbance in 34 Rush, one of the bars in the casino, at 12:43 a.m.

Mazur said there were two individuals involved.  Wait staff had refused further drink service to both patrons. They were asked to leave. Sanfratello was escorting the female out of the casino when she became combative. She hit the sergeant, he said. She was taken into custody.

The male defendant, who had apparently exited the casino, returned to the lobby and "a physical struggle ensued with the male defendant.

Sanfratello radioed for assistance. Patrol units from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, and State Police responded.

Mercy EMS also responded.

Civilians and Batavia Downs security staff became involved in the struggle to restrain the male defendant. 

"Initially, a single Batavia police officer began heading towards the Downs to assist sheriff's deputies as needed," Heubusch said. While en route, further radio transmissions indicated that CPR was in progress, and yelling and screaming could be heard in the background."

Upon arrival, the officer observed a male and female in custody but reported that they continued to "violently struggle" with officers.

Attempts to revive Sanfratello were unsuccessful, and later, a Genesee County Coroner pronounced him dead.

Criminal investigators from the Sheriff's Office responded, as did command staff from the departments. After further consultation, the investigation was turned over to Batavia PD.

"This is an ongoing investigation and the casino was very busy that night," Heubusch said. "We're asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident and or may have digital evidence -- videos or photos -- to contact our detective bureau."

The press conference was then opened to questions from the more than a dozen members of local and regional news organizations present.

Heubush was asked to elaborate on the struggle with the defendants.

"They were resisting arrest," Heubusch said. "It's obvious in the videos that the subjects were not going into custody without a fight. So, they were physically resisting arrest very violently."

What were they doing specifically?

"I can't get into the details of what that was," Heubusch said. "But the video demonstrates that they resisted arrest violently."

On the arrest report, the charge for aggravated manslaughter includes mention of a "deadly weapon."  Asked if that was statutory language or if the chain is being considered a deadly weapon, Finnell said, "It's a statutory language, but the chain is the focus of that language."

Heubusch was asked to further explain the use of the "metal chain" (the term used in the charging documents) allegedly deployed by the defendant.  The police department later put out a statement clarifying that it was a piece of jewelry. 

"During the altercation, you can see one of the defendants, the male defendant, remove a large piece of jewelry from around his neck, a chain or a thick metal rope that was used during the struggle," Heubusch said. I can't get into the details of what happened with that, but it was used as part of the attack."

Heubusch confirmed that the defendant used a chokehold against Sanfratello.

He was asked if the defendant swung the chain to strike Sanfratello or if the defendant wrapped the chain around his fist and hit Sanfratello.

"I can't get into those types of details. That's part of the investigation," Heubusch said.

Asked if the defendants submitted to blood tests for drugs or alcohol, Finnell said, "There's been no direct blood testing that I know of. It's procedure for the jail to do a screening for drugs and alcohol (at intake). My understanding is they were not initially cooperative with that process; however, they may have ultimately done that."

In response to a question, Finnell said an autopsy has been completed, but the report has not been delivered.

In response to a question about the apparent ongoing struggle with the defendants after other officers arrived on scene, Heubusch said he is not aware of any other officers being injured.

Asked who performed CPR, Batavia Downs security staff or civilians, and who assisted in subduing the defendants, Heubusch said, "There were several members of the Batavia Downs security staff as well as bystanders who were both performing CPR on and off as well as holding the defendants down to help us get them into custody."

Finnell left open the possibility of additional charges once the investigation is completed.

On Tuesday, the judge in Town of Batavia Court issued several orders of protection for members of the Sanfratello family, including a bar on third-party contact.

Asked if friends and family of the defendant had made threats against Sanfratello's family, Finnell said, "I have been advised that there were some statements made, the content of which or the degree of the statements themselves, I'm not aware of, but they were sufficient for us to ask for orders of protection, more of as a prophylactic measure to make sure that there's no contact." 

Sheron said the Sheriff's Office has had an agreement with Batavia Downs to provide uniformed officers for additional security on weekends as "a deterrence."  He said there had been no issues at Batavia Downs that prompted the request or made it necessary.

"We've had minimal complaints," Sheron said.  "Nothing, ever, to this extreme or fights."

During the Q&A, Heubusch again urged news outlets to inform the public that investigators are seeking video and photos of the incident.

"There's a ton of video in the casino," Heubusch said. "With the cooperation of Batavia Downs, we did get all of that into our possession. However, any video that we can get from any angle is important to us in identifying potential witnesses and other actions that may have occurred outside of the cameras of the casino itself. It is extremely important to us to be able to identify anything else that's out there."

While leaving the Town of Batavia Court on Tuesday, the defendant told a group of friends and family, "My life over."

Asked if that is an admission of guilt and whether the statement could be used against him, Finnell said, "Any statement he makes spontaneously, whether it's in the course of the crime or his detention thereafter, including in court, can be used, in my opinion, should it become relevant later at trial."

In response to a follow-up, he said, "I would consider that an admission that he has done something that he regrets deeply."

In his closing statement, Ian Sanfratello thanks the community who has reached out to his family and offered support, condolences, and dropped off food.

He said he also wanted to address reports that some members of the defendants' family have been harassed or threatened on social media.

"I know my father would not want any threats of any kind being made to the family of the suspects and to the suspects themselves," Ian said. "He would know that justice will be served in the correct way."

Previously:

• Sheriff's Office sergeant dies in the line of duty while trying to make arrest at Batavia Downs
• Batavia man charged with manslaughter in death of Sheriff's Office sergeant during confrontation at Batavia Downs
• Court documents say Elmore used chains to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold
• Funeral services announced for Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello
• DA explains status of criminal charges against man allegedly involved in death of Sheriff's sergeant
• Clarification and Correction: 'thick piece of jewelry' allegedly used in attack on officer
• Man accused in death of Sheriff's sergeant tells friends and family, 'my life over'
• Photo: Patrol vehicle parked at Sheriff's Office in honor of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello

Previously:

• Sheriff's Office sergeant dies in the line of duty while trying to make arrest at Batavia Downs
• Batavia man charged with manslaughter in death of Sheriff's Office sergeant during confrontation at Batavia Downs
• Court documents say Elmore used chains to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold
• Funeral services announced for Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello
• DA explains status of criminal charges against man allegedly involved in death of Sheriff's sergeant
• Clarification and Correction: 'thick piece of jewelry' allegedly used in attack on officer
• Man accused in death of Sheriff's sergeant tells friends and family, 'my life over'

As he left Town of Batavia Court on Tuesday afternoon, Michael J. Elmore, accused of actions at Batavia Downs on Sunday morning that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello shook his head "no" and told a group of friends and family members, "My life over."

"I love you, bro," somebody responded.

He could then be heard in the back of the patrol car sobbing.

As is standard for an initial arraignment in court, the defendant entered a not-guilty plea.  Elmore is scheduled to return to court at 1 p.m. on April 9 for further proceedings.  He is being held in the Monroe County Jail on $100,000 cash bail. His case is likely to go to a grand jury and eventually be transferred to Genesee County Court.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph Robinson said District Attorney Kevin Finnell will be leading the prosecution on the case. He said the investigation is ongoing, and the people are not yet ready to hand over evidence (called discovery) to the defense. 

Attorney Joseph Lobosco has been assigned to represent Elmore.

The courtroom was filled to near capacity with Sanfratello's family members and members of the local law enforcement community, including Sheriff William Sheron, Undersheriff Bradley Mazur, Deputy Chief Joseph Graff, and Deputy Chief Brian Frieday.

Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree. The manslaughter charge is based on alleged intent to cause serious physical injury. The aggravated assault includes an allegation of using a deadly weapon. The burglary charge includes the alleged use of a dangerous instrument. 

The charges stem from an incident early Sunday morning, at 12:43 a.m. Sanfratello responded to a report of a disturbance in a bar at Batavia Downs.

There, Sanfratello confronted Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia and ordered Wilcox to leave the building. While being escorted out, she allegedly became combative with Sanfratello. Court documents state that she hit Sanfratello several times with the intent to injure him. 

At some point during this confrontation, Elmore reportedly became involved.  He was told to leave the casino and did leave, according to court documents, but "immediately" returned with "chains" in his hands. The police now describe these chains as "a thick piece of jewelry or necklace commonly worn around one's neck."

Elmore is accused of striking Sanfratello in the face and neck with the piece of jewelry and of getting Sanfratello in a chokehold.  At some point, according to an initial police press release, Sanfratello deployed his taser. While struggling with the suspect, Batavia Downs security officers and civilians attempted to assist him.  He became unresponsive. CPR was performed.  He was later pronounced dead by a county coroner. 

Wilcox is charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony, and attempted assault in the second degree, a Class E felony. 

She appeared in court later Tuesday afternoon, but The Batavian was unable to attend her hearing.

The cause of Sanfratello's death has not been released. There are unconfirmed reports that he suffered some sort of medical issue.

Elmore has a lengthy arrest record. In 2009, he was accused of shooting a teen with a BB gun at the former skate park in Batavia. In 2012, he was charged with disorderly conduct following a fight on State Street. He was charged with a burglary at Sherwin-Williams in 2013. In 2015, he was accused of sending threatening texts to another person. He also has a prior history of tangling with law enforcement. He was charged with obstructing governmental administration during an incident in 2022 at the former Days Inn. In 2022, he was also accused of slashing tires on vehicles.

Previously:

• Sheriff's Office sergeant dies in the line of duty while trying to make arrest at Batavia Downs
• Batavia man charged with manslaughter in death of Sheriff's Office sergeant during confrontation at Batavia Downs
• Court documents say Elmore used chains to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold
• Funeral services announced for Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello
• DA explains status of criminal charges against man allegedly involved in death of Sheriff's sergeant
• Clarification and Correction: 'thick piece of jewelry' allegedly used in attack on officer

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in gathering digital evidence from the incident that occurred at the Batavia Downs on March 10, resulting in the death of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello. 

Anyone with video or other digital evidence is asked to provide it to the Police Department using the link below, or by scanning the QR code.

https://bataviapdny.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/10march2024bataviadownsincident 

Anyone with questions regarding this process can contact Detective Eric Hill at 585-345-6373. We thank the public in advance. 

Previously, The Batavian reported that a "metal chain" was allegedly used by Michael J. Elmore during an attack on Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello early Sunday morning at Batavia Downs.

Batavia PD has issued a statement clarifying that it was a" thick piece of jewelry or necklace commonly worn around one's neck."

Besides this clarification, The Batavian must make its own correction. We erroneously reported that Elmore left the casino and retrieved a chain. This was an assumption on our part, and we should never make assumptions in our reporting.  Court documents do say that Elmore left the building and "immediately" returned, but nowhere does it mention that he retrieved any object in the process. We regret the error and apologize to the Sanfratello family for this error and any additional upset it may have caused.  

A member of law enforcement accused us of sensationalizing the story.  

We never seek to sensationalize crime stories.  It's not necessary. Typically, the facts themselves speak for themselves. Except for the assumption about Elmore retrieving the chain, the rest of our prior stories were based on assertions contained in the charging documents.

The accusatory instrument states on the burglary charge that Elmore "re-entered the building holding metal chains, a dangerous instrument, that he passed between both hands while swinging them around making threats of use. The defendant used the metal chain to assault Sgt. Sanfratello by repeatedly striking him about the head and face."

On the aggravated manslaughter charge, the document states, "... the defendant did cause the death of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office by repeatedly striking him about the head and face with his fist and a metal chain and by having him in a chokehold."

The aggravated assault charge also refers to the chain as a "dangerous instrument." 

NYS penal code refers to a "dangerous instrument." as an object that can cause death or serious physical injury.  We should note that a necklace could, in fact, be used as a weapon and cause a serious injury.

As a matter of transparency, here are links to the accusatory instruments:

• Document 1
• Document 2
• Document 3

NOTE: Before reading further, read this: Clarification and Correction: 'thick piece of jewelry' allegedly used in attack on officer

While Batavia resident Michael J. Elmore has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death on Sunday of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, that doesn't mean the charges can't be amended, District Attorney Kevin Finnell told The Batavian on Tuesday morning.

The Batavian asked Finnell about why Elmore was being charged with manslaughter instead of murder after obtaining court documents that revealed that Elmore was accused of retrieving a chain from outside leaving Batavia Downs, reentering the building, and attacking Sanfratello, striking his head and face, and getting Sanfratello in a chokehold.

"As you can expect, the case is still being investigated, and as such, final charging decisions have not been made," Finnell said in an email response. "It is likely a grand jury will make those decisions in the fairly near future.  Until then, I am unable to provide details on the thought process that led to the current charges, but I will indicate that such charges were based on the information law enforcement had available at the time.  That information is being augmented daily as more witnesses are interviewed and more evidence is received."

Both the aggravated manslaughter charge and a murder charge require the prosecution to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had a degree of intent.  Finnell explained there is a subtle difference between the proof requirements.

"As to your question about the current charge of aggravated manslaughter vs. murder, the principal difference is one of intent," Finnell said. "For a murder charge to be viable, we are required to prove that the defendant acted with 'intent to cause the death of another person.' Aggravated manslaughter in the first degree requires proof of 'intent to cause serious physical injury', which results in death.  Other forms of manslaughter require proof of reckless behavior resulting in death.  The final charges will reflect decisions that are based upon the whole body of evidence that is obtained after the investigation is completed."

Sanfratello, 54, was a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office. He was working a special detail at Batavia Downs when he was called upon at 12:43 a.m. on Sunday to help quell a disturbance in a bar there.

Sanfratello confronted Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia and ordered Wilcox to leave the building. While being escorted out, she allegedly became combative with Sanfratello. She is accused of hitting Sanfratello several times with the intent to injure him. 

Wilcox is charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony and attempted assault in the second degree, a Class E felony. 

Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree. The manslaughter charge is based on alleged intent to cause serious physical injury. The aggravated assault includes an allegation of using a deadly weapon. The burglary charge includes the alleged use of a dangerous instrument. 

Previously:

• Sheriff's Office sergeant dies in the line of duty while trying to make arrest at Batavia Downs
• Batavia man charged with manslaughter in death of Sheriff's Office sergeant during confrontation at Batavia Downs
• Court documents say Elmore used chains to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold
• Funeral services announced for Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello