GENESEE COUNTY/Deputy dies in the line of duty during a physical altercation at Batavia Downs

Press release

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has transferred the investigation into a line-of-duty death incident that occurred at Batavia Downs on March 10, 2024, at approximately 12:45 am (prior to DST) to the City of Batavia Police Department.

This incident resulted in the death of Genesee County Sheriff’s Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, who was working a special assignment detail at the Batavia Downs while on duty. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of Sergeant Sanfratello and all the members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at this extremely difficult time,” said Batavia Police Department Chief Shawn Heubusch.

According to Heubusch, Sheriff’s Sergeant Sanfratello and casino security were notified about an altercation inside the facility.  After an initial verbal confrontation inside the bar area, Sergeant Sanfratello, alongside Batavia Downs security staff, began escorting two patrons (later identified as Michael J. Elmore, age 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, age 39) out at the request of the Batavia Downs security staff.

Wilcox became physically combative with Sergeant Sanfratello.  Sergeant Sanfratello, along with assistance from the Batavia Downs security staff, was able to gain control of Wilcox and place her under arrest. However, Elmore began to interfere with the arrest and became physically combative, attacking Sergeant Sanfratello.  Batavia Downs security officers and civilians attempted to assist Sergeant Sanfratello with taking Elmore into custody and a physical fight ensued. During the altercation, Sergeant Sanfratello attempted to user a Taser electronic control device on Elmore, however, Elmore continued to be combative. 

During the physical altercation, Sergeant Sanfratello became unresponsive, and CPR was started immediately.  Despite these life-saving efforts, Sergeant Sanfratello was pronounced deceased by the Genesee County Coroner.

The City of Batavia Police Department is coordinating with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Genesee County District Attorney’s Office and Batavia Downs on the investigation into this incident. No further details are being released at this time. This is an on-going investigation, and we ask that anyone who may have witnessed this or has video of the incident to contact the City of Batavia Police Department Detective Bureau at 585-345-6311 or submit a tip at www.bataviapolice.org .

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/ny/genesee/batavia-pd/138661/post/investigation-line-duty-death-genesee-county-sheriffs-office-sergeant