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.

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.