‘Love one another’: To honor Michael Hoosock, follow his dedication to serving others, priest says

Geddes, N.Y. -- Lt. Michael Hoosock was a cop, a firefighter and a paramedic. Sometimes, the Onondaga County sheriff’s deputy -- known as Hootch -- was all three at once.

As a teen, he served as a volunteer firefighter. As a deputy with a 16-year career, he worked many assignments, including detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, a tactical flight officer for the Air 1 helicopter and a training officer. He was working most recently as the bomb squad commander.

Hoosock, 37, and Syracuse police Officer Michael Jensen, 29, were both killed in a Salina shooting Sunday. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was also killed in the gunfight.

Thousands of first responders from throughout New York and other states gathered at the New York State Fairgrounds on Monday to honor Hoosock. Mass was held in the Expo Center. It took more than half an hour for all the uniformed officers to file into the building.

Hoosock’s wife, Cait, gave his eulogy. She spoke of his love for service, of the joy he found in the long hours helping others.

“He was Superman to everyone else,” she said. “He made sure that I knew coming home was all that mattered.”

The Rev. Christopher Celentano, of St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse, asked mourners to find solace in Hoosock -- his dedication to helping others.

“We know of his public service, we know of his valor, we know of his courage,” Celentano said. “It’s all on display.”

Do as Hoosock did, the priest said. “Love one another as I love you,” he said.

Below are moments from throughout the day, with the most recent events first.

Crowd waits near Assumption Cemetery

More than 100 people lined the sidewalk outside of the cemetery. Some had American flags, others sat in folding chairs. Families came, holding toddlers and with babies in strollers.

Just before 2 p.m., the procession pulled into the cemetery.

The crowd grew silent as the first patrol car arrived. The only sounds were sirens from the lead car. Only a few of the patrol cars turned into the cemetery.

‘Amazing Grace’

Outside the Expo Center, Hoosock’s casket is being taken out as sheriff’s deputies lined up at attention. Bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.” After that, they played “The Minstrel Boy.”

Air-1 circled overhead, and the family got back into limos.

By 1:25 p.m., the procession was headed to Assumption Cemetery.

Officers file out

At about 1 p.m., officers began filing out of the Expo Center. The American flag once again covered the casket.

Anyone who wants to view the escort to the cemetery can line up along the following route: The procession leaves the state fairgrounds through Gate 12 and takes a left on Bridge Street and continues on Interstate 690 East. They will exit at Bear Street and go to Court Street and on to Assumption Cemetery.

Final service call

Just before the service ended, a dispatcher read a final tribute to the crowd at the Expo Center and across some emergency radio frequencies.

“He will forever be a role model for so many and he will forever be missed,” the dispatcher said of Lt. Michael Hoosock. “For the final time, Unit 45L2, Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, out of service.

‘Coming home was all that mattered’

Michael Hoosock also served as copy editor for his wife, Caitlin.

“Needless to say, this won’t be perfect,” she said, weeping.

Hootch, she said, was “Superman to everyone else.” To Cait, he was the one she knew and loved, starting 12 years ago.

Despite all the work, all the qualifying tests and exams, all the hours served, “He made sure that I knew coming home was all that mattered,” she said.

At home, he was the tickle monster. The one who wanted ice cream for dinner. The one who planned all the details for family vacations. “He made the best plans,” she said.

When his shift ended, he’d often wake her up to tell stories of what happened on the job. He’d sometimes fall asleep, mid-sentence.

“He wasn’t in it for the awards,” she said, perfectly. “He did it for the joy of doing the job.”

Thousands rose to their feet in applause.

‘We have a lot of questions’

The Rev. Christopher Celentano, of St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse, asked the question on so many minds in Central New York:

“How could such a good man be taken by such a senseless act of violence?” the priest asked during his homily. “It’s vile and disturbing, unsettling for all of us.”

Celentano urged the mourners to use Hoosock as a guide for finding an answer. His character, his willingness to run toward danger and help people inspired his actions -- let Hoosock’s dedication to others serve as an example, the priest said.

“We know of his public service, we know of his valor, we know of his courage,” Celentano said. “It’s all on display.”

Do as Hoosock did, the priest said. “Love one another as I love you,” he said.

He also had a message for Hoosock’s family and his wife.

“Cait, you’re not alone in this,” Celentano said. “We love you. You heard this the other night, but I’ll say it again. This community loves you.”

Michael, the priest said, means “who is like God.”

Michael is also the patron saint of law enforcement. “He’s your patron saint,” Celentano said.

Few needed the overflow areas

Ken Fike from North Syracuse sat alone at Chevy Court as the Mass began. He also watched the funeral procession.

“We wanted to support the family and the law enforcement officers,” said Fike, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years. “We wanted them to know that we’ve got their backs.”

Fike said he thought more people would show up. “But obviously it’s a workday,” he said. “But thank God, we’ve got beautiful weather.”

There were about six people in the Coliseum, which also had been set up for remote viewing.

Mass begins

The Mass was led by the Rev. Christopher Celentano, of St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse. During the Mass, only the family will receive communion.

The entrance hymn was “Abide with Me.”

The first reading was from Revelation chapter 21, verses 1-5, 6-7. Parts of Psalm 23 were sung.

The second reading was from Romans chapter 5, verses 5-11.

The Gospel was from John, chapter 15, verses 12-17.

Massive procession arrives at fairgrounds

The procession filled with hundreds of public service vehicles -- led by Onondaga County sheriff department patrol vehicles -- arrived at the fairgrounds at about 10:40 a.m.

Lights were flashing; there were no sirens.

On the fairgrounds, hundreds of officers snapped to attention. Air-1 hovered over State Fair Boulevard.

As the hearse and limos grew closer to the Expo Center, a lone snare drum beat a funeral march. After the hearse door opened, bagpipes began to play.

At 11 a.m., pallbearers brought the flag-draped casket inside, followed by Hoosock’s family.

Sheriff Toby Shelley led Onondaga County’s deputies into the Expo Center. Each officer saluted the casket with a white-gloved hand.

Moyers Corners firefighters went next.

The cavernous center was silent. It took more than 30 minutes for all the uniformed personal to file in. Those inside stood for about 45 minutes as the officers filed in.

At about 11:35 a.m., the flag that had covered the casket was folded. Mass began at 11:40 a.m.

‘The guys he molded are all here’

Lt. Troy Pritchard, a firefighter, came from Texas for today’s service. He worked with Hoosock at Moyers Corners Fire Department.

“He was the greatest guy to ever friggin’ live,” Pritchard said. “If everybody were 50% more like Mike Hoosock, this world would be a better place.”

As crowds of officers waited for the procession, Pritchard remarked on those that worked and trained under Hoosock.

“The guys he molded are all through here,” Pritchard said. “He helped shape the company officer I am today. I wouldn’t be half the company officer I am today without Lieutenant Hoosock.”

Retired Deputy Chief Steven Wisely, of Moyers Corners Fire Department, remarked on Hoosock’s contributions throughout public safety in Onondaga County.

“He was probably the most well-rounded public servant that I’ve run across in my career,” Wisely said. “He was not only an active police that was multi-talented there, he was an excellent fire fighter. (He) rose to rank of deputy chief, and he was also a paramedic.”

“You don’t find very many people in public service that do all three and do it really really well. That’s the story of his life.”

Funeral procession begins

The motorcade carrying Hoosock to the fairgrounds started just after 10 a.m.

Before it passed, several people stood near the funeral home along Buckley Road, a two-lane commuter route in Syracuse’s northern suburbs. Someone had tied blue ribbons to nearby street signs. Don and Penny Norcutt waited at the corner of Buckley and Lorien for almost two hours to pay tribute to the following deputy. They waved flags and were joined by some of their neighbors.

Dozens of police motorcycles, police and fire rescue vehicles accompanied the hearse. The procession included eight limos, more than a dozen fire trucks and at least 50 police and sheriff’s deputy vehicles. Other vehicles were from state agencies, including New York State Police and the Department of Environmental Conversation.

It took five minutes for the procession to pass. The sheriff officer’s helicopter, Air-1, circled overhead.

Outside the Expo Center, hundreds and hundreds of uniformed officers waited in utter silence, save for the occasional command.

‘Touched so many lives’

Camillus police Officer Jay Pollard was serving in today’s Honor Guard and worked with Hoosock.

“Hoosock was such a good guy,” Pollard said. “He touched so many lives. Just being here to pay a final respect, it’s a true honor to be part of everything. I worked with him on the road, trainings and stuff. Just a great guy, a wealth of knowledge, somebody that when he was on scene, you felt comfortable because, you knew the right decisions were being made.”

Early morning at the Expo Center

By 8 a.m., officers were starting to file into the Expo Center at the state fairgrounds, some making last-minute adjustments to their dress uniforms.

Four food trucks were near the building, feeding breakfast sandwiches and coffee to officers, some who were from New Jersey and New York City.

New York City police officers have been in the area since Friday, attending the funeral of both Jensen and Hoosock, said Douglas Walden, special operations director of the NYPD emergency services unit. This morning, Walden manned a food truck sponsored by the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD offering breakfast items and coffee to officers streaming toward the Expo Center.

“We take this very seriously,” he said. “It’s really important to be here for the family. It shows them what they meant to the world.’’

Firefighters raised American flags on ladder trucks from Fairmount and Solvay, Liverpool and Moyers Corners. Hoosock served as a battalion chief at the Moyers Corners Fire Department.

The Expo Center opened at 9 a.m. Inside, sections were designated for family, Moyers Corners firefighters, doctors, nurses, retired deputies and other first responders. In the center, seats were saved for current deputies, Syracuse police and state troopers. Overhead, a Jumbotron showed photos of Hoosock with his family: Caitlin and three kids, 3, 5 and 7.

Outside, hundreds of officers from across New York were waiting, their brass shields glinting in the sun. One officer from Greece, N.Y., embraced members of an honor guard.

About 150 Syracuse police officers were standing nearby. They spent Saturday in Rome, N.Y., at the funeral of Officer Michael Jensen who died in the same gunfight on April 14 in Salina.

More details about parking and services

All are welcome to the ceremony. There is no formal reservation system, but police and fire officials from as far away as Oregon have called for information.

There is plenty of parking at the fairgrounds. The public should enter at Gate 6. A bus will also be available to take people from the upper parking lots, he said.The Expo Center bleacher seats can hold about 4,000 people; another 2,000 seats will be available in the center, facing the altar. Overflow crowds will be able to watch a live stream indoors at the state fair’s Coliseum building and outdoors at Chevy Court.

The Mass will be led by the Rev. Christopher Celentano, of St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse. During the Mass, only the family will receive communion.

It will be a traditional Catholic Mass in a non-traditional place. In the past, the Expo Center has been used as an indoor skating rink, a winter carnival and a Covid vaccine clinic.

Today, an altar is set up at one end, with Jesus on the cross. There’s a statue of Mary. A 50-person choir and 15 musicians will perform.

The burial in Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse is private.

Procession to the cemetery

Anyone who wants to view the escort to the cemetery can line up along the following route: The procession leaves the state fairgrounds through Gate 12 and takes a left on Bridge Street and continues on Interstate 690 East. They will exit at Bear Street and go to Court Street and on to Assumption Cemetery.

Hoosock’s obituary

Hoosock was born in the town of Onondaga to Daniel Hoosock and Cynthia (Trichilo), according to his obituary:

“Michael’s faith was important to him, he was a former communicant of St. Daniel Church in Lyncourt and was currently attending St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse. He loved to golf, fish, and could mis-identify wildlife better than anyone.”

You can read his full obituary here.

Where to donate

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Michael’s name may be made to the Bomb Technician Memorial Foundation, 600 Boulevard S SW, Huntsville, AL 35802 or Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268 Caswell Ave., North Syracuse, NY 13212.

Staff writers Elizabeth Doran and Darien Stevenson contributed to this report.