SCHUMER ANNOUNCES BILL TO RENAME EAST ROCHESTER POST OFFICE IN HONOR OF FALLEN LOCAL HERO, DARYL PIERSON, HAS CLEARED FIRST KEY SENATE HURDLE – SENATE COMMITTEE HAS PASSED THE BILL AND IT NOW HEADS TO FLOOR FOR FULL SENATE VOTE; SCHUMER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR PASSAGE

In September 2014, Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson Tragically Lost His Life In The Line Of Duty; A Decorated Officer & U.S. Army Veteran, Pierson Embodied The True Spirit of Selflessness & Bravery

In February, Schumer Stood With Pierson Family In Rochester & Pushed For Passage of a Bill To Rename Officer Pierson’s Hometown Post Office In His Honor – Today, Bill Passed Senate Committee & Now Heads to Floor For Full Vote – Schumer Vows To Fight Until Bill is Signed By President

Schumer: Dedication of East Rochester Post Office in Officer Pierson’s Name Will Be Fitting Memorial to His Heroic Service

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the bill to rename the East Rochester Post Office in honor of fallen Rochester City Police Officer, Daryl Pierson, has passed the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC). Schumer said the bill will now head to the Senate floor for a full vote and he will fight for its passage. In February, Schumer stood with Amy Pierson, the wife of fallen Rochester City Police Officer Daryl Pierson, and many local police officers to launch his campaign to rename the East Rochester Post Office in Officer Pierson’s honor. Schumer said that renaming this post office in Officer Pierson’s memory would serve as a lasting tribute to the fallen officer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in September 2014.

“Dedicating his life to safeguarding his community as a Rochester Police Officer after bravely serving his country overseas in the Army and the National Guard, Daryl Pierson paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect his community and its residents. For the way he dedicated his life to serving others, Officer Pierson was a hero and will long be celebrated for his hard work, dedication, and strength of character,” said Schumer. “Naming the East Rochester Post Office after him would be a truly fitting tribute to his service, and allow his legacy to live on in an enduring way. I am honored to be able to announce that the bill to do just that has now cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate, and I will continue fighting tooth and nail until it receives a signature from the President.”

Schumer said this bill, just passed out of the HSGAC committee, would rename Officer Pierson’s hometown post office, the East Rochester Post Office located at 206 West Commercial Street, as the “Officer Daryl R. Pierson Memorial Post Office Building.” Schumer said that, beyond Officer Pierson’s exemplary service to the Rochester Police Department, our nation greatly benefited from his service in the U.S. Army and National Guard in both Korea and Afghanistan. Schumer said that renaming the East Rochester Post Office after the decorated officer would serve as a tribute for his family, the community of East Rochester, and his fellow police officers, and that it would be a fitting reminder to future generations of the incredible sacrifice and courage he demonstrated for his country and his hometown. During his February visit, Schumer stood with members of local law enforcement and Officer Pierson’s surviving wife Amy Pierson, his mother Debi Pierson, brother Brett Pierson, Amy’s parents Mitch and Joan Evans, along with Mary Felice Tochelli, a friend of the Pierson and Evans families, and someone active in civic issues in East Rochester, who first contacted Schumer with the idea of dedicating the Post Office in honor of Officer Pierson, an idea embraced by the Pierson family. During this visit, Schumer announced he would be introducing this legislation to rename this post office as quickly as possible in order to honor Officer Pierson’s legacy.

Officer Daryl Pierson was fatally shot on Hudson Avenue on September 3, 2014 while trying to apprehend a suspect in Rochester. Schumer explained that Pierson was the first Rochester police officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1959. Pierson was born in Sodus, NY and grew up in East Rochester. Daryl Pierson spent much of his childhood in East Rochester and graduated from high school there. He was a three-sport athlete and was well-liked among his coaches and teachers. Following years of service in the U.S. Army, where he did tours in Korea and Afghanistan, Pierson attended Monroe Community College and joined the Rochester Police Department in 2006. He was still a member of the National Guard. Schumer said Pierson was described by those closest to him as a dedicated cop, loving father and husband, and patriot. Pierson married his wife, Amy Evans, in 2004 and most enjoyed spending time with their son, Christian Pierson, and daughter, Charity Pierson. As an officer, Daryl won many awards, including a 2010 Officer of the Month award and a 2013 Good Conduct award. Pierson received 11 chief's letters of recognition, most of which commended his efforts in removing illegal guns from city streets. He was highly regarded in the Rochester Police Department as a man of impeccable character and a brother and friend to his fellow officers.

Schumer said that it is only fitting that this East Rochester native and protector be honored in his hometown. Schumer said renaming this post office in Officer Pierson’s memory would serve as a lasting tribute to the fallen officer, who was an active member of the tight-knit East Rochester community. Schumer said that this close-knit community demonstrated its commitment to honoring Pierson when hundreds of local residents and well-wishers lined the streets of East Rochester to pay their respects as the funeral hearse made its way down Fairport and Marsh roads. Schumer said the blue and black color ribbons—the colors of the police force—they tied around trees and lampposts that day throughout the community conveyed the love and support that all of East Rochester has for Amy, Daryl and the Pierson and Evans families. 

A copy of Senator Schumer’s and Senator Gillibrand’s letter to the USPS appears below:

Dear Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Carper:

We write to express our support for H.R. 1884, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service (USPS) located at 206 West Commercial Street in East Rochester, New York as the “Officer Daryl R. Pierson Memorial Post Office Building”.  Born in Sodus, New York and raised in East Rochester, Officer Pierson served in the U.S. Army, serving tours in Korea and Afghanistan.  Officer Pierson attended Monroe Community College and joined the Rochester Police Department in 2006.  He remained a member of the National Guard while serving as a police officer.

Officer Pierson won many awards, including a 2010 Officer of the Month award and a 2013 Good Conduct award.  He received 11 chief's letters of recognition, most of which commended his efforts in removing illegal guns from city streets. He was highly regarded in the Rochester Police Department as a man of impeccable character and a brother and friend to his fellow officers.  Officer Pierson was also a devoted husband and father to two children.  Officer Daryl Pierson was fatally shot on Hudson Avenue on September 3, 2014 while trying to apprehend a suspect in Rochester. He was the first Rochester police officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1959.

Naming the East Rochester Post Office after a hometown hero would be a truly fitting tribute to Officer Pierson’s courage, and we urge the committee to support the designation of the 206 West Commercial Street facility by promptly considering and passing H.R. 1884.

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand

United States Senator

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