Syracuse, N.Y. — At the end of a funeral for Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock, a police radio message was broadcast to police units in the region and to all those at the funeral in the Expo Center on Monday.
The 10-7 Out of Service Call, or Last Radio Call, is a tradition that’s broadcast after a police officer dies in the line of duty.
This is a transcript of the message made from the broadcast:
Attention all units. Stand by for an important announcement in 10 seconds.
Control to Unit 45L2. Control to Unit 45L2. Control to Lieutenant Hoosock.
Michael Hoosock or Hootch, as he was admirably referred to, was tragically killed in the line of duty on Sunday, April 14th, 2024. Michael Hoosock began his career with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 2007, after serving as a road Patrol deputy, among other areas of expertise and interest, Hootch was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2015, where he continued to serve his community with the patrol division.
In 2021, Hootch was transferred to the agency’s criminal investigation division, where he primarily served as the detective sergeant assigned to the warrants unit, working as a tight-knit unit. Hootch and other members of his team located and arrested countless violent suspects and fugitives, not only in Onondaga County but across the nation. In 2022, Hootch was designated as the commander of the agency’s bomb squad. Hootch and his team established themselves as one of the premier bomb squads in the state working hand in hand with local, state and federal agencies.
During the summer of 2023, Hootch was promoted to the rank of lieutenant where he continued serving his community as a commander with the road patrol division.
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock was a highly decorated and commended member of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Hootch was named deputy of the year by the New York State Sheriff’s Association for his actions regarding an armed subject at the Regional Transportation Center. In 2012 and 2020, Hootch was awarded the agency’s Medal of Valor for entering and rescuing several occupants of a fully involved apartment building fire. And in 2020, his actions leading to the apprehension of a subject responsible for a double shooting at the Regional Transportation Center.
His actions ultimately stopped what was likely to become a mass casualty incident. Over the years, he also received several certificates of merit for his outstanding service and professionalism.
Although active as a full-time police officer, Hootch’s dedication to service did not end there. Hootch served as a volunteer member with the Moyer’s Corners Fire Department since 2007, where he served as battalion chief. He additionally provided his community assistance as a paramedic EMT. While serving with both Moyer’s Corners as well as the Manlius Fire Department, he is remembered by those agencies as a humble, knowledgeable and caring public servant. Michael Hoosock is the epitome of a lifelong public servant.
However, there was one thing he loved more than his commitment to his community, his family. Hootch was a devoted husband and father to his three young children. Friends, family members and colleagues remember Hootch as a dedicated family man. He displayed no shortage of love for his family and was dedicated to them beyond what words can describe. There was rarely a personal conversation between Hooch and his colleagues that did not involve a comical or heartfelt story regarding his children. His love for his family could not be qualified by the unfortunate circumstances that he was thrust into on a day-to-day basis.
Those who worked with Hooch in any of his many capacities fondly remember the even-keel, calming effect he could provide in any situation. He is remembered as someone that could always bring levity to moments where it was lacking and very rarely would a conversation with colleagues not end with laughter. When he came to the serious situations, he was always sought out as a wealth of knowledge by his peers and subordinates although he would display humility and occasionally admit that he did not know everything it was still widely agreed that Hooch was still the best man for the job day, nights, weekends, and holidays. It did not matter. If someone needed help, hooch would be there for them. Although Onondaga County suffered a loss of a lifelong public servant on April 14th, Lieutenant Michael Hooch Hoosock will always be remembered. His dedication of service to both his family and his community will continue to serve as a benchmark for police, fire and emergency personnel who work alongside him.
He will forever be a role model for so many and he will forever be missed. For the final time, Unit 45L2, Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, out of service.
