‘Michael is smiling down’: Jensen family, friends share funny and tender moments of slain officer

Rome, N.Y. -- Hundreds and hundreds gathered today to mourn Syracuse police Officer Michael Jensen.

Jensen became a police officer two years ago, after deciding he wanted to do more than work as an accountant behind a desk. He played hockey at Le Moyne College and bought a house in Syracuse’s Tipp Hill neighborhood. He was to be his sister’s “man of honor” at her wedding this fall.

Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock, 37, were both killed in a Salina shooting Sunday. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was also killed in the gunfight.

The Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome brought together Jensen’s family and closest friends with police and firefighters from throughout the region and from other parts of the country. It was the church he was baptized in. Today, he was eulogized by his parents, sister and future brother-in-law and three fellow Syracuse officers.

“He was supposed to be my man of honor,” ShelliAnn Jensen, his sister, said of her October wedding. “I shouldn’t be an only child. I love you brother.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. Hundreds of Syracuse police officers, including three former chiefs, came.

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

Officers stream out of church

Shortly after 1 p.m., hundreds of uniformed officers filed out the church. The pallbearers placed the casket back in the hearse.

As of 1:45 p.m., the motorcade was leaving the church for a private burial in the church’s cemetery.

‘Saved countless lives’

Syracuse police Capt. Dave Metz was Jensen’s supervisor. He watched all the video available from the April 14 shootings in Salina.

After seeing those horrific moments, Metz said he had a strange, unexpected feeling. He smiled.

“Why would somebody ever smile after watching something as tragic and traumatic as that?” Metz said, wondering if there was something wrong with him.

Then, he said, he got it.

“Michael’s actions that day saved countless lives, including people in this room today,” Metz said. “We all gained a new hero.”

‘You’re stuck with us’

Earlier this week, someone hugged Syracuse police officer Forrest Gilbert. He wasn’t sure who it was, but it was at the Jensen family home in Rome.

And the person gave Gilbert a message: Don’t let that door close. Don’t let the Jensen family door close.

Gilbert had walked through that door many times, following Jensen. Michelle Jensen would greet them: “Is that my handsome son Michael?” (Then, a pause.) “And his handsome friend Forrest?”

“That always stuck with me,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert also went to Le Moyne with Jensen before patrolling Syracuse streets with him. Today, he spoke to Jensen’s family.

“I will always be walking through your door,” Gilbert said. “You’re stuck with us now. I know all these guys. They’ll be coming through the door because you’re stuck with them, too.”

Best friends, fellow officers

Syracuse police Officer Grant Prudhomme met Jensen on Day 1, the first day of orientation at Le Moyne College.

Prudhomme described himself as a hick from a tiny Upstate town. Jensen was “wearing preppy pants and a Polo shirt,” Prudhomme said. Jensen was the kind of guy Prudhomme would never walk up to and start a conversation.

But Prudhomme didn’t have to.

“He did that for me,” Prudhomme said.

Prudhomme was wearing an Ottawa Senators shirt. “I’d never met him before,” Prudhomme emphasized. “He immediately told me how much a loser I was for liking the worst team in the league.” The church laughed.

They became best friends.

Years later, Jensen had a good job, at a desk, Prudhomme said. A safe job. Jensen was an accountant.

“He hated it,” Prudhomme said. He wanted to be helping people.

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Police gather outside, around speakers

Since not all the police officers could fit inside the church, many gathered around speakers outside. Pockets of officers stood along East Dominic Street, sharing hugs, handshakes and stories. A woman passed out prayer cards for Jensen.

Shortly after noon, some police officers left the church and got back into formation on East Dominick Street. Inside the church, people were taking communion.

Around 12:30 p.m., it started to drizzle outside, though the sun still shone.

A lifelong church

Jensen was baptized at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome. He had his first communion and his confirmation there too, the Rev. Paul Angelicchio said at his funeral Mass.

Jensen, Angelicchio said, would want his friends and family to cherish memories of him. “That’s what Michael would want us to do today,” the priest said. “If I had all of you to come up here and tell a story, we’d be here three months.”

Angelicchio said those who remember Jensen can rely on two things: Those memories and their faith.

“Our love for Michael,” he said, “that cannot be taken away.”

The priest also asked the church to give a round of applause for Michael and the other police officers in the church.

Angelicchio was a Syracuse police chaplain for 22 years, including when Detective Wallie Howard was killed more than three decades ago.

“I hope this is the last one that I ever do,” the priest said.

Saying Mom twice

Jensen would say his mom, Michelle, didn’t always respond right away. When he wanted her, he’d say: Mom, mom.

If that didn’t work?

“Michelle. Michelle,” he’d say, his mother said in her eulogy.

“And I would turn around,” she said, and the mourners laughed.

She told about him cutting his hair and sending her texts filled with heart emojis. About being her handsome son.

“I was incredibly lucky because I got to Michael’s mother for 29 years,” she said. “He was actually my friend.”

‘Michael is smiling down’

Jared Groff, who is engaged to Jensen’s sister, ShelliAnn, spoke first. He thanked Syracuse police, friends and family, strangers and law enforcement, for all the support and generosity over the past few days.

“I know that Michael is smiling down,” Groff said. “Michael was so many things to so many different people. Michael did what mattered most.”

His sister, ShelliAnn, talked about her little brother’s antics through laughter and tears. He liked to swap wasabi for guacamole. He would tease her about getting pulled over for speeding, which she never has. They shared their secrets about tattoos.

“He was supposed to be my man of honor,” she said of her October wedding. “‘Does my tux have to match the other dresses?’” she said he joked then.

“He would have my back for anything,” she said. “I shouldn’t be an only child. I love you brother.”

From the funeral Mass program:

The Mass has begun. This was the first part of today’s Mass, according to the funeral program:

Entrance Hymn: “Be Not Afraid”

Words of Remembrance: Michael’s family: Michelle, Paul, ShelliAnn and Jared

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (reader: Jamie Vacca)

Responsorial: The Lord is My Shepherd

Second Reading: 1 Timothy (reader: Ashley Dean)

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Homily: Fr. Paul F. Angelicchio

The service

The full service can be seen below from the church’s YouTube channel. The service starts at about minute 45.

Want to listen to a particular speaker? Here’s a guide by timestamps to help you find them:

49:20: Jared Groff, engaged to Michael’s sister, ShelliAnn

53:18: ShelliAnn Jensen, Michael’s sister

57:52: Paul Jensen, Michael’s father

1:03:13: Michelle Jensen, Michael’s mother

1:16:16: The Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio

1:56:38: Officer Grant Prudhomme

2:11:58: Officer Forrest Gilbert

2:19:37: Captain Dave Metz

Motorcade arrives

The hearse arrived at St. John the Baptist Church. Church bells tolled and the bagpiper began as candles were lit inside the sanctuary.

A few minutes before 11 a.m., the pallbearers began carrying the casket inside.

Just after 11 a.m., Syracuse police officers began filing inside the church.

Funeral procession begins

At about 10:40 a.m., the procession began from Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home at 7751 Merrick Road in Rome handled the funeral.

The motorcade was full of uniformed officers on motorcycles.

Hundreds of police officers waited outside the church, in formation. A black stripe covered their badges.

Inside the church, several hundred officers waited in near silence.

A priest who comforts police

The Rev. Paul Angelicchio, who presided over the funeral for Jensen, was a former police chaplain who also comforted Syracuse police officers when Detective Wallie Howard was slain on the job three decades ago.

Angelicchio, 72, grew up in Rome with members of the Jensen family. When Jensen’s Uncle Jimmy called Sunday night to say Jensen had been killed, Angelicchio felt the hit as both a former police chaplain and a friend of the family.

You can read more about Angelicchio’s connection with the Syracuse police here.

Early preparations and arrivals

As of about 8 a.m., bagpipers were practicing “Amazing Grace” in the church’s basement. Shortly after, Syracuse police officers started to arrive. The day started cool and sunny, with a few clouds.

Former police chiefs Dennis DuVal, Steve Thompson and Frank Fowler arrived, along with Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon also came, along with Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds. A helicopter was circling overhead.

Gov. Kathy Hochul arrived, as did Attorney General Letitia James.

From the funeral program

The following message is from today’s funeral program:

Beloved son, brother, officer, and friend. A true gem.

Michael Jensen lost his life in the line of duty on Sunday, April 14, 2024. He was 29.

Michael was born December 7, 1994, in New Hartford, NY to Paul and Michelle (Smaldon) Jensen. A native of Rome, NY, he graduated from Rome Free Academy in 2013. He attended Le Moyne College, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2017 and his Master’s in Business Administration in 2018.

Michael loved hockey, soccer, and baseball, playing local youth sports throughout his childhood. He spent countless weekends traveling for tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. Michael was a member of the Le Moyne College hockey team where he remains a leader in all-time points, goals, and assists. His passion continued after graduating as he continued to play recreation league hockey as an adult. Michael was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

Prior to joining the Syracuse Police Department, Michael worked as an accountant for four years before trading out his desk job to join the department.

But Michael was so much more than his accolades. He was a gem in every sense of the word. Always equipped with a smirk, his dry sense of humor and goofiness was contagious to everyone Michael crossed paths with. He always had something to say that would make you laugh. He leaves behind wonderful memories and stories that his family, friends, and those who knew him will cherish forever. His family, friends, and loved ones will miss him dearly.

Michael leaves behind his parents, Paul and Michelle Jensen; sister, ShelliAnn Jensen and brother-in-law Jared Groff of Philadelphia, K-9 siblings, Marco and Crosby (who he both loved and antagonized); aunts and uncles Jim and Donna Smaldon, Cindi and Rowe Wheeler, and families; grandmother Ardyce Jensen, aunts and uncles Deb and Bill Ehlers, Beth and Dave Kolb, Karen and Jerry Barthel all of South Dakota, and Dawn and Ed Vallee of Oklahoma and all of their families. Michael was predeceased by his grandparents, Mike and Dolly (Campanaro) Smaldon, and Edmand Jensen. Michael also leaves behind so many other family and friends that the list would go on forever.

After the services

After the ceremony, the family is hosting a reception nearby at Griffiss Air Base.

How to watch

The church can hold about 650 people. Another 200 can be seated in a room downstairs, where the ceremony will be livestreamed. Much of the church is marked reserved for Syracuse police officers and family members, according to Angelicchio.

Organizers strongly encouraged members of the public to watch the services on the church’s You Tube account or Facebook page. Viewers on Facebook will have to ask the church for permission to join the private group.

Funeral details

Mass was led by the Rev. Paul Angelicchio.

In addition to family, speakers included Syracuse Police Captain Dave Metz and Officers Grant Prudhomme and Forrest Gilbert, who are close friends.

Where to donate

The family says in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jensen’s name to:

• The Rome Youth Hockey Association at RYHA, P.O. Box 861, Rome, N.Y. 13440
• The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association P.O. Box 11218, Syracuse, NY, 13218
• The Marion Guild of St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E Dominick Street, Rome, NY, 13440.

Road closures in Rome

Officials estimate the following roads will be closed today until about 2 p.m.:

E. Dominick St: Closed from Mill St. to Black River Blvd.

Mill Street: Entire street from E. Dominick St. to Martin St.

Railroad Street: Closed from E. Dominick St. to Bouck St.

Bouck St.: Erie Blvd. E. to Black River Blvd. including Ace Pl.

River St. Southbound traffic onto E. Dominick St. will be redirected Northbound. to St. Peter’s Ave.

Black River Blvd at Erie Blvd. E. to W Court St.

Harbor Way: Mill St. to E. Dominick St.

LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY - E. Dominick St - 6th St. to Mill St.