VIDEO–Procession/ceremony at the gravesite of former Patrolman Arthur Luplow at Grandview Cemetery, 80 Clinton Street, Batavia, NY/ Who was honored on May 29, 2024
Third annual commemoration honored deceased members of the Batavia Police Department
Press release
BATAVIA, NY – The Batavia Police Department held its third annual Flag Commemoration Ceremony for deceased members of the Batavia Police Department at the gravesite of former Patrolman Arthur Luplow in Grandview Cemetery in the town of Batavia. Patrolman Luplow served in the BPD from 1915 to 1941.
“What started as a way to honor the deceased members of the Batavia Police Department has now turned into an annual event that is not so much something somber, but commemorative as we celebrate these deceased officers’ service to our community,” said BPD Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.
City of Batavia Council President Eugene Jankowski, Jr., a retired Batavia Police Department lieutenant, presented a proclamation on behalf of the City Council declaring May 29th as the City of Batavia Police Department Flag Commemoration Day.
The proclamation reads in part, “the City of Batavia will recognize the dedicated and brave police officers who have been laid to rest since retiring from the Police Department by placing memorial flags at each officer’s graveside in remembrance of their service to the City”.
Over the last couple of weeks, flags with the Batavia Police Department shield were installed in metal flag holders at nearly 50 graves at various cemeteries across Genesee County. Plaques were affixed to deceased officers interred in the Monsignor Schwartz Mausoleum at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Chief Heubusch recognized the work of Retired Youth Detective Rich Schauf and Retired Dispatcher Steve Robinson who continue to research locations of gravesites of deceased officers and current members Detective James DeFreze and Detective Jason Ivison who coordinated the installation of the flags and collection of them each September.
The flags and metal flag holders were produced and donated by H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home in the City of Batavia.
