Police have identified the officer and a sheriff’s deputy who were shot and killed in upstate New York by a man who was also killed by law enforcement in a shootout.
Officer Michael Jensen, 29, and Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, 37, were killed in an exchange of gunfire Sunday afternoon shortly after 8 p.m. in Liverpool, about six miles north of Syracuse.
Jensen had previously attempted to stop a car believed to have been driven by the alleged shooter, 33-year-old Christopher Murphy.
But the driver refused to stop and eluded police, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Monday.
Officers were able to identify the license plate and traced it to an address in nearby Liverpool.
Officer Michael Jensen (pictured left), 29, and Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock (pictured right), 37, were killed in an exchange of gunfire Sunday night shortly after 8 pm in Liverpool, about six miles north of Syracuse.
Police have identified the officer and a sheriff’s deputy who were shot and killed in upstate New York by a man who was also killed by law enforcement in a shootout.
They requested help from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said during a news conference.
Officers found the vehicle at the home and saw what appeared to be firearms inside the car.
At some point, “they heard what sounded like someone handling a firearm from inside the residence,” Cecile said.
Inside the home, Murphy had told a friend that police would not arrest him and that the friend had to leave.
The friend ran out of the house. Murphy began firing a high-capacity weapon, Fitzpatrick said.
‘We believe the first officer shot is a sheriff’s deputy in the back of the house. And I don’t think he knew what was coming,” Fitzpatrick said.
Murphy left the house and fired at four Syracuse police officers who were standing outside, hitting one near the armpit in an area not protected by the officer’s vest. Two officers returned fire, including the officer who was shot, the prosecutor said.
The Syracuse deputy, sheriff’s deputy and the suspect were taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.
Police officers salute as the bodies of Jensen and Hoosock are transported to the Wally Howard Forensic Science Center in Syracuse.
Ambulances transport the bodies of the two officers killed early Monday morning
Armed officers patrol the scene of the shooting in Liverpool.
All three were pronounced dead at the hospital, Cecile said.
“Tonight we lost two heroes,” he added.
Hoosock was a veteran public servant, having spent 16 years as a captain and lieutenant with the Moyers Coners fire department, a Rural Metro Syracuse paramedic and a law enforcement officer.
‘To say he will be missed is a gross understatement. Whether serving with the Fire Department, in law enforcement, or as an emergency medical services provider, everyone knew how dedicated he was to the community,” the fire department said in a Facebook post.
“Even as a lieutenant, he was out in the community providing proactive policing and helping in any way he could with his vast and varied experience.”
Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley said the deputy had been with the department for a long period of time and “was just a great guy.”
Jensen had just joined the local police department two years earlier from nearby Rome, New York. Cecile described him as ambitious and hard-working.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was “horrified by the senseless killing” of the two officers.
Hoosock was a veteran public servant, having spent 16 years as a captain and lieutenant with the Moyers Coners fire department, a Rural Metro Syracuse paramedic and a law enforcement officer.
‘To say he will be missed is a gross understatement. “Whether he was serving the Fire Department, law enforcement, or as an emergency medical services provider, everyone knew how dedicated he was to the community,” the fire department said in a Facebook post.
Murphy left the house and fired at four Syracuse police officers who were standing outside, hitting one near the armpit in an area not protected by the officer’s vest. Two officers returned fire, including the officer who was shot, the prosecutor said.
“My prayers are with their families, their loved ones and their colleagues,” the governor posted on X. “New York will never forget their heroism and service.”
The officers were the first law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Onondaga County since Officer Wallie Howard Jr. was shot and killed during an undercover drug operation in October 1990, authorities said.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said: ‘This is a dark day for Syracuse. “This is our worst nightmare come true.”
Shelley said police planned to search the home as part of the ongoing investigation.
Murphy had no criminal record beyond being charged with driving while intoxicated a decade ago, Fitzpatrick said.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Syracuse Police Department for further comment.