Batavia, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Batavia Police Department continues its investigation into the death of a beloved Genesee County Sheriff's Sergeant early Sunday morning at Batavia Downs Gaming along Park Road.
A press briefing was held Wednesday morning at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, where a number of county and City of Batavia officials recapped the incident and further detailed where things stand with the ongoing investigation.
Officials say the incident took place at about 12:45 a.m. EST early Sunday when there was a report of a disturbance in the 34 Rush bar located inside Batavia Downs. Sgt. Sanfratello, who police say was working a special assignment detail at the casino while on duty, responded to the bar, along with casino security members.
The two individuals - identified as 33-year-old Michael Elmore and 39-year-old Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, both of Batavia - were causing the disturbance and were asked to leave.
While being escorted out, Wilcox became combative and struck Sgt. Sanfratello. The 32-year veteran of the department was able to take her into custody, but while doing so, Elmore returned to the lobby, where Sgt. Sanfratello and the female defendant were located, and a physical struggle ensued.
At that point, multiple agencies responded to Sgt. Sanfratello's call on the radio for additional assistance.
During the altercation, Sgt. Sanfratello attempted to use a Taser electronic control device on Elmore, but the defendant continued to be combative. During the physical altercation, Sgt. Sanfratello became unresponsive and CPR was started immediately.
"Upon arrival by the Batavia police officer, they saw a male and a female subject, who had been placed into custody, but continued to violently struggle with Sheriff's deputies and other staff - Batavia Downs security and bystanders that had jumped in. Further, the officer saw other bystanders, as well as Sheriff's deputies performing CPR on a uniformed Sheriff's member, later identified as Sgt. Sanfratello," said Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch on Wednesday.
Despite the life-saving efforts from multiple bystanders and Batavia Down security staff, Sgt. Sanfratello was pronounced deceased by the Genesee County Coroner.
"This is an ongoing investigation, and the casino was very busy that night," Chief Heubusch added. "We're asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident, and or may have digital evidence - videos or photos - to contact our detective bureau."
Batavia Police has also created a QR code that will take anyone with more information into this incident directly to a site where they can drop video into evidence.
During the altercation between Sgt. Sanfratello and Elmore, police say Elmore was seen removing a large piece of jewelry from around his neck, what they said was a chain or a metal thick rope, that was used during the struggle.
Chief Heubusch also said Sgt. Sanfratello was placed in a chokehold by Elmore during the struggle.
Genesee County District Attorney Kevin Finnell says an autopsy has been done on Sgt. Sanfratello, but the official report has yet to be released.
Elmore is facing three charges, at this time, including:
- Aggravated Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class "B" felony);
- Aggravated Assault upon a Police Officer (Class "B" felony);
- Burglary in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony).
District Attorney Finnell says the aggravated aspect of the manslaughter charge is because Sgt. Sanfratello was a police officer.
In addition, Wilcox is facing two charges:
- Burglary in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony);
- Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (Class "E" felony).
According to Finnell, the burglary charges against both Elmore and Wilcox stem from both individuals being combative with Sgt. Sanfratello and the security staff at Batavia Downs when they were asked to leave, thereby indicating they were remaining unlawfully in that building.
Chief Heubusch says Elmore has been known to law enforcement in the past, which includes contact with his office.
Additional charges remain a possibility coming from a Grand Jury with this case, but Finnell says with this investigation still ongoing, evidence has not been presented to any Grand Jury yet.
Both Elmore and Wilcox remain in custody of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on bail.
As for Sgt. Sanfratello and what he meant to his fellow colleagues and community, he is best described as a great law enforcement officer, and an even better person.
"I've known Tommy since he began, and he was just an incredible human being. He was always there for everybody else," said Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron. "He had many important functions here in the department, he ran our civil department. He was on the State Sheriff's Association Accreditation Program as an assessor. He oversaw our Darien Lake details. As you know, we have many, many concerts out there, many, many thousands of people. He ran them flawlessly. Tommy was one that you counted on. If Tommy was involved, I didn't have to worry about anything."
"I also have known Tom since he first hit the road, and we talked on a regular basis about cases and issues. He'd often call and say, 'I think I know the answer, but...' and he always did. But he never lost his enthusiasm for the job, for what he did. And he was a very, very good police officer, and he was a better man," Finnell added. "We will all suffer loss for a long time to come, and we will miss him dearly."
"I think you can go back to even his early years, he started out as an EMT in an ambulance, then went on to become a volunteer fireman with the Alexander Fire Department. He started his career here at the Sheriff's Office as an emergency services dispatcher, went on to road patrol. You look at Tom Sanfratello, and that's what he did. He served," said Undersheriff Bradley Mazur. "He served our community, even from when he was a late teenager when he started as an EMT on an ambulance. I think that goes right to Tom's character."
Sgt. Sanfratello's son, Ian, who also works with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer, was on-hand for Wednesday's press briefing to provide a statement on behalf of his father and family:
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, calling hours for Sgt. Sanfratello are set from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET this Friday at the Genesee Community College athletic center. His funeral service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, and will be held at the same location.