Graves of deceased officers honored with placement of flags featuring Batavia Police Department shield
Press release
BATAVIA, NY – The Batavia Police Department conducted the first annual Flag Commemoration Ceremony to recognize, and honor departed members of the department who are buried or interred in cemeteries across Genesee County. There are approximately 50 former BPD officers buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Elmwood Cemetery, Batavia Cemetery in the City of Batavia, Grandview Cemetery in the Town of Batavia, as well as other cemeteries across Genesee County.
The idea for an annual commemoration of deceased BPD officers was the result of the efforts of Rich Schauf, a retired BPD detective who served from 1987-2019 and Steve Robinson, a volunteer police historian and former BPD dispatcher, who served from 1990-2020. The flags and flag holders were designed and donated by HE Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home in the City of Batavia.
The oldest grave, which is at St. Joseph Cemetery, is that of Anthony Horsch who was a member of the department from 1890 until 1916. Horsch was also the first Police Chief of the City Department. Members from the Horsch family attended the ceremony. Another grave of note is that of Andrew McCully who served the department the longest, retiring after 45 years of service, including 10 years as chief.
“On behalf of the Batavia Police Department, I want to acknowledge and thank Rich and Steve for their hard work in identifying the location of the graves of our deceased members and their efforts to create this annual commemoration event,” said Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.
Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski read a proclamation at the event declaring May 23rd as Batavia Police Department Flag Commemoration Day honoring departed members of the BPD.
The flags will be collected in September and every May will be put into the ground at the officers’ gravesites.
The Department wishes to recognize and thank the following for their participation in this annual event; St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Matthew Dispenza, BP Tent Company, Extended Sound and retired CBFD Captain Mike Mullen.
There continues to be additional research to determine if there are any other deceased members of the Batavia Police Department buried or interred in cemeteries in Genesee County. Those who may have such information should contact Rich Schauf at 585-536-9069.
Deceased Members of the Batavia Police Department Buried or Interred in Genesee County
St. Joseph’s Cemetery:
Name Date of Birth Date of Death Years of Service
James J. Aquino 1920 2003 1950 – 1974
Gasper S. Baudanza 1906 1983 1931 – 1969
Robert G. Casper Sr. 1929 2008 1957-1977
Robert L. DeFreze 1927 2010 1959-1980
Albert G. DelBridge 1897 1960 1915-1952
Larry J. Falkowski 1921 2009 1942-1975
John J. Gravante 1934 2021 1959-1979
Anthony J. Horcsh 1854 1919 1890-1916
William C. Krantz 1901 1971 1933-1946
Frank A. Lachnicht 1937 2008 1966-1996
Andrew J. McCulley 1854 1931 1886-1931
Anthony J. Monteleone 1927 1984 1956-1977
Peter N. Nichols 1929 1980 1952-1978
Richard F. Pastecki 1928 1994 1957-1979
Frank S. Rodon 1911 1993 1936-1966
Bernard J. Ronan 1933 2015 1963-1985
Frank J. Rugala 1924 1990 1952-1974
Edward J. Santora N/A 2007 1948-1969
Milford J. Smith 1904 1961 1923-1961
Grandview Cemetery:
Robert R. Currier 1930 2012 1964-1984
Earl F. Davis 1923 2001 1947-1981
Robert S. Dombrowski 1939 2016 1962-1993
Matty W. Hamera 1927 2002 1957-1976
Arthur J. Luplow 1881 1962 1915-1941
George K. McCurdy 1907 1977 1936-1971
Salvatore I. Sanfratello 1915 2001 1950-1972
Lloyd “Bud” G. Silvernail 1959 2013 1987-1993
Herbert Snyder 1887 1966 1915-1944
Richard F. Vanderwalker 1931 1996 1962-1987
Elmwood Cemetery:
William J. Lewis 1944 2019 1966-1987
Carl Salway 1890 1945 1921-1944
Charles Lewis Snell 1907 1979 1942-1971