Complete coverage: The death of RPD Officer Daryl Pierson

Complete coverage of Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson, who was fatally shot Sept. 3, 2014 while trying to apprehend a suspect in Rochester.

Feb. 2: Schumer wants post office named for Officer Daryl Pierson
By Steve Orr

"He was a hero every day of his life. It's appropriate to honor our heroes," Sen. Charles Schumer said.

Jan. 20: In court, officers recall Pierson-Johnson encounter
By Gary Craig

At a hearing Tuesday morning, Officer Michael DiPaola gave the first public account of the night he lost his partner, Daryl Pierson, revisiting the events that preceded the first fatal shooting of a city police officer since 1959.

Jan. 14: Lawyer: Reduce charges in RPD officer slaying
By Jon Hand

The defense lawyer for the man accused of killing Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson wants several of the charges against his client reduced because he said Pierson was not acting in his official capacity as a police officer at the time of his death.

Dec. 26: Lancers to honor first responders, Pierson
Staff report

The Rochester Lancers will honor all local first responders before Saturday's 1 p.m. match at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.

Dec. 23: Wife o f slain RPD officer receives $15K, car
Staff report

Amy Pierson was presented the items from the Rochester Locust Club, Marina Auto Group, Main Street Armory owner Scott Donaldson and musician Lou Gramm.

Dec. 9:Officer Pierson's widow calls for peace in Rochester
By Jon Hand

"Rochester is a family and we came together after Daryl's death, we set an example, and we have to do that again and not be a city divided against itself," Amy Pierson said during an interview at her East Rochester home Dec. 9.

Dec. 6: Amy Pierson 'incredibly grateful' for support
By Victoria E. Freile

Several rock legends brought the house down at the Main Street Armory Saturday night during a benefit concert for the family of Rochester police Officer Daryl Pierson.

Dec. 3: Officer, firefighter create memorial for Officer Daryl Pierson
By Tina MacIntyre-Yee

The roughly 8-foot metal sculpture, created by a city police officer and a city firefighter, will be finished in time to make it to the Main Street Armory Saturday.

Dec. 1: Candlelight vigil honors fallen officers

By Neeti Upadhye

Family and co-workers of fallen area police officers came together to honor their loved ones during a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the Christ Episcopal Church on East Avenue.

Nov. 12: Police wives band together for a sister
By Caurie Putnam

"Every one of us is a phone call away from being Amy," said my friend Lisa Ireland, the wife of a New York State Trooper. "We all live with that in the back of our minds each and every day, and that is our sisterhood."

Nov. 7: Award honors courage of Pierson, partner
By Tom Tobin

It wasn't easy to keep the tears in at the 10th annual Federation of Social Workers awards luncheon in Rochester.

Nov. 3: Billboard thanks community for support after Officer Pierson's death
By Neeti Upadhye

The Rochester Police Locust Club is placing a billboard along Interstates 490 and 390 through November to thank the community for its support following the death of Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson, who was fatally shot while pursuing a suspect on Hudson Avenue Sept. 3.

Oct. 26: Blue Mass honors Pierson, area police
By Neeti Upadhye

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester's annual Blue Mass to honor members of law enforcement took on new meaning Sunday morning, in light of Officer Daryl Pierson's tragic death last month.

Oct. 10: $25K raised for Pierson children's education
By Gary McLendon

India Community Center Inc. and the Town of Brighton will present Amy Pierson, the widow of slain Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson, with $25,000 during an Oct. 15 ceremony.

Oct. 9: Watchdog blog: Legal decisions in police killing will be keenly watched
By Gary Craig

Reporter Gary Craig discusses the legal implications of County Court Judge Victoria Argento not recusing herself from the case.

Sept. 27: Watchdog report: Who we let out of prison
By Gary Craig

In the aftermath of the killing of a Rochester police officer, legislators and citizens alike have railed against a criminal justice system that they maintain is releasing too many offenders to the streets. But, as often happens in the immediacy of a tragedy of this sort, the facts of Johnson's conviction, imprisonment and release have been drowned out by the cacophany.

Sept. 25: Judge declines to step down from Officer Daryl Pierson case
By Victoria Freile

A Monroe County Court judge Thursday afternoon declined to step down from overseeing the trial of the man accused of killing a Rochester police officer this month.

Sept. 20: Walk honors Officer Pierson on his birthday
By David Riley

Rochester police Officer Daryl Pierson would have celebrated his 33rd birthday on Saturday if not for the gunman who took his life 17 days earlier.

Sept. 19: Birthday gifts donated to Christian Pierson
By Donyelle Davis

Five-year-old Christian Pierson's birthday was different for many reasons. It was the first birthday he spent without his father and the first he felt love and generosity from hundreds he's never met.

Sept. 19: RPD spouses host candlelight vigil
By Donyelle Davis

Rochester police officers' spouses stood side-by-side Friday honoring officers past and present who dedicated their lives to serving the city.

Sept. 18: Amy Pierson at arraignment: 'I am strong … he's a coward'
By Jon Hand & Victoria E. Freile

The man accused of killing a Rochester police officer earlier this month stood in a Monroe County Court room filled with dozens of officers as he denied six felonies, including aggravated murder.

Sept. 15:Johnson indicted in death of Officer Pierson
By Gary Craig & Victoria E. Freile

The Rochester man who was on parole when he allegedly fatally shot a city police officer has been indicted on six criminal counts, including aggravated murder, the same day he was released from an area hospital.

Sept. 12: ER/Gananda honors Officer Daryl Pierson
By James Johnson

Officer Pierson, who wrestled and played baseball at East Rochester before his graduation in 1999, was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 3.

Sept. 12: Suburban Outlaw: Glazer, Pierson tragedies hit home
By Pam Sherman

Everyone hugs the family. People may hug the friends. Who hugs the public? Columnist Pam Sherman reflects.

Sept. 11:David Andreatta: Amy Pierson's composure was contagious

Those who attended the funeral for slain officer Daryl Pierson saw his wife, a 32-year-old woman who showed everybody who felt their city was falling to pieces that she could keep it together for them.

Sept. 10: A fitting salute to slain Officer Daryl Pierson
By Jon Hand and Meaghan McDermott

It was a fitting tribute and goodbye to Officer Daryl Pierson, who was loved by two families — his wife, two young children, parents and siblings; and the men and women of the Rochester Police Department.

Sept. 10: Crowd in East Rochester says goodbye
By David Riley

Several people said they wanted to show respect and support for Officer Pierson's family and his profession as a crowd slowly formed to meet his hearse and the long line of police cruisers and motorcycles that accompanied it.

Sept. 10: Notable quotes from Officer Pierson's funeral
Staff reports

A selection of quotes by notable attendees at the funeral for RPD Officer Daryl Pierson on Sept. 10, 2014.

Sept. 10: Jon Hand: Pierson was hero long before his death

I'll never understand the pain that they are feeling, the brotherhood. Their unique sadness has been earned and it is their own, public safety reporter Jon Hand writes in a column reflecting on Officer Daryl Pierson's death.

Sept. 10: Downtown falls silent for Officer Pierson's funeral
By Gary Craig and David Andreatta

The heart of downtown Rochester came to a silent standstill Wednesday as the funeral procession for Police Officer Daryl Pierson inched its way to Blue Cross Arena under a weak late morning sun.

Sept. 10: Updates from the funeral for Officer Daryl Pierson
Staff reports

Coverage from the funeral of RPD Officer Daryl Pierson at Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday.

Sept. 9: Community prepares for final goodbye
By Jon Hand

Dozens of city workers spent Tuesday preparing Blue Cross Arena in anticipation of several thousand mourners — many of them law enforcement officers from as far away as California.

Sept. 9: Thomas Johnson indicted in connection with officer's death
By Victoria Freile

A Monroe County grand jury voted to indict Thomas Johnson III on at least one felony charge in connection with the shooting death of Rochester police officer Daryl Pierson, District Attorney Sandra Doorley said Tuesday.

Sept. 9: Patrick Burke: It's our time to fulfill their vision

We're saying farewell to Police Officer Daryl Pierson, lost as a result of a cowardly and senseless act of violence, which has become all too common. Officer Pierson courageously served to selflessly protect and defend city residents and paid with his life.

Sept. 8: Generosity shines as funeral plans take shape
By Jon Hand

In the overwhelming flood of logistical issues that go along with the uncharted territory of hosting an influx of thousands of mourning police officers, local benefactors — large and small — are lending a hand.

Sept. 8: Faith-based groups stand with Pierson
By Neeti Upadhye

Faith-based alliances expressed their solidarity with fallen Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson on Monday.

Sept. 8: Hundreds pay respects to officer Pierson
By Meaghan McDermott

Hundreds of mourners came out Monday afternoon to pay their respects to slain Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson.

Sept. 7: Veteran RPD captain works to preserve legacy of slain colleague
By Gary Craig

Capt. Lynde Johnston has seen it all in nearly 50 years with the Rochester police force. Until Wednesday evening, when for the first time, he responded to the fatal shooting of a fellow officer.

Sept. 7: Prayer vigil gives police strength
By Patti Singer

The pastors who organized the service said they also were moved to address crime, drugs and violent acts in the community.

Sept. 6: Time to mourn -- and to work -- for city administration

By Brian Sharp

As singing from a prayer vigil filled downtown Rochester on Saturday morning, workers high up in the shell of Midtown Tower placed flags extending from the top-floor windows — a tribute to the developer and a city in mourning.

Sept. 6: Witness: Community must stand up for Pierson
By Gary Craig

A witness to Wednesday night's fatal shooting, Dana Borne said she will not cower from testifying if necessary. Daryl Pierson should be remembered not just by those with whom he served, but by residents of a city who need to show more backbone in the face of crime, she said.

Sept. 6: Andreatta: For Pierson and Glazer, city worth the gamble

Both men believed in our city. That's why Glazer laid down millions of dollars to revive downtown, and Pierson laid down his life for a part of town most people would rather forget.

Sept. 5: Info on how to support Pierson family shared
Staff report

The Rochester Police Locust Club shared information on Friday on how to send cards, letters, sympathy and support to the family of Officer Daryl Pierson.

Sept. 5: Services announced for Daryl Pierson
Staff report

Calling hours will be held at a funeral home in Greece Monday and Tuesday, with the funeral Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial.

Sept. 5:Court records show police have video footage of fatal shooting
By Gary Craig and Victoria E. Freile

According to court documents, the convicted felon accused of killing a Rochester police officer told police he was at the scene of the shooting and identified himself in that video.

Sept. 5:Shock, disbelief in days after Pierson's death
By Jon Hand

Emotions — anger, sadness, despair — have been discussed since word of Pierson's shooting began to spread among officers and the community about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Sept. 4: Rochester mourns RPD officer
By Brian Sharp & Bennett Loudon

From sadness to anger, numb silence to vocal frustration — how Rochester responded to the shooting death of a police officer reflected its oneness in mourning but also its divisions.

Sept. 4:Shooting scene one of city's most troubled areas
By Meaghan McDermott

A Rochester minister says the Wednesday night gunfight that left Police Officer Daryl Pierson dead is just another example of the "depraved mindset" afflicting some of the city's most impoverished and troubled neighborhoods.

Sept. 4:Explaining tragedy to kids takes time
By Patti Singer

Parents looking to explain frightening events can start by reassuring their children that they are safe, according to Dr. Michael Scharf, assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics and chief of child psychiatry at UR Medicine.

Sept. 4:Friends, strangers help via fundraisers
By Kevin Oklobzija

His was a life of serving and protecting a community, a life that was cut short on Wednesday by the bullet of a paroled felon. Now the community is giving back in his memory.

Sept. 4: Andreatta: Life lessons from the son of a slain cop

The cops at the door didn't have to say a word for 9-year-old David Shaw to know that something had gone horribly wrong at work for his patrolman dad.

Sept. 4:RGH continued serving others during emergency
By Patti Singer

Hospital emergency departments are used to crises, but they also plan for the unexpected.

Sept. 4:Rochester-area officials react to officer's death
Staff reports

A selection of quotes from a number of statements by Rochester-area officials and former officials released after the death of Police Officer Daryl Pierson.

Sept. 4:Slain officer's wife: He loved his family, police work
By Jon Hand

Amy Pierson will cherish the past eight months more than any other in the 12 years she knew her husband, Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson.

Sept. 4:Shooting death is RPD's first since 1959
By Neeti Upadhye

The shooting death of a Rochester police officer Wednesday night marked the first time an officer had been killed by gunfire in more than 50 years.

Sept. 4:Officials laud RPD officer Daryl Pierson for 'great sacrifice'
By Jon Hand & Victoria E. Freile

An Army veteran and a father of two young children, Rochester Police Officer Daryl R. Pierson was a calming and steady member of a tight-knit unit charged with dealing with some of the department's most chaotic and dangerous situations.

Sept. 4:Accused shooter Thomas Johnson III was recent parolee
By Gary Craig & Victoria E. Freile

How did the accused and the slain end up where they did?

Sept. 3: Telling the story, as it's breaking

Judy Mendoza details what it was like on the breaking news desk at the D&C the night of the shooting.

Sept. 3:RPD mourns officer killed in city shooting; 2 others wounded
By Kevin Oklobzija

The Rochester Police Department is in mourning after an officer was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a suspect just after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Sept. 3:Breaking news updates: Officer shot, killed
Staff reports

Details from the night of the shooting and the 1 a.m. news conference with Police Chief Michael Ciminelli and Mayor Lovely Warren.