City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, July 22, 2022) – Today is a sad day for our
community. This is a nightmare for any family. It is punctuated even more when
that person is a police officer; because every day when they kiss their loved
ones goodbye, they know it could be their last one.
Officer Tony Mazurkiewicz and Officer Sino Seng were out
yesterday trying to combat the violence and carnage that the Chief and I have
been talking about over the last six months. Tony Mazurkiewicz could have
easily retired, but he chose to continue going on the streets because he didn’t
want folks in our neighborhoods to be held hostage by the very cowards that are
wreaking havoc in our community.
Not only am I sad for the Mazurkiewicz family—and we pray
for the speedy recovery of Sino Seng—I am angry. And upset. Because all too
often, we are seeing a blatant disregard for life. Whether it be a woman
sitting on her porch, or a 10-year-old girl braiding her mother’s hair—and now,
an officer in the line of duty working to keep our city safe.
I want to offer my prayers to the family and all of the men
and women of the Police Department in our city. These officers were out all
night answering calls even though they knew their colleagues were wounded. Even
now, they’re out answering calls.
I also want to thank all of our partners in government and
everyone who has reached out. We need your assistance and appreciate your
support.
This is an active investigation and anyone who saw anything
needs to speak up. Now is the time to speak up. This is a clarion call for this
community to speak up.
At this time, I’m asking the media and the community for
their patience. I’m asking for people not to speculate. I’m asking that you give
the families and the men and women of the law enforcement community the space
they need to grieve this horrific tragedy.
I’m asking that you keep the Mazurkiewicz family and all of their colleagues in
prayer. The mental health and safety of our officers is one of my top
priorities.
Again, I send my deepest condolences to the family of Tony
Mazurkiewicz and Godspeed for a speedy recovery for Sino Seng. Please pray for
our city and our country as we go through this very, very difficult time.
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