SCHUMER JOINS WITH FAMILY OF ROCHESTER POLICE OFFICER DARYL PIERSON TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO RENAME EAST ROCHESTER POST OFFICE IN FALLEN HERO’S HONOR – OFFICER PIERSON REPRESENTED THE BEST OF ROCHESTER AND GENERATIONS SHOULD BE REMINDED OF HIS SACRIFICE & COURAGE

Schumer Pushes USPS To Rename Officer Pierson’s Hometown Post Office, East Rochester Post Office, In His Honor – Joined By Family Members & Fellow Police Officers, Dedication Would Be Fitting Memorial to His Heroic Service

Schumer: Dedication of East Rochester Post Office in Officer Pierson’s Name Will Be A Lasting Tribute to a Local Hero

Today, at the East Rochester Post Office, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined with Amy Pierson, the wife of fallen Rochester City Police Officer Daryl Pierson 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. Schumer stood with Officer Pierson’s wife, Amy Pierson, members of local law enforcement, and East Rochester officials as he launched this push, which 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” Post Office. 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. Schumer announced that he will be introducing legislation this Congress to rename this post office as quickly as possible in order to honor Officer Pierson’s legacy.

“While nobody can fill the void left by Officer Daryl Pierson, it is my hope that all those who enter the ‘Officer Daryl R. Pierson East Rochester Post Office’ will be reminded of the incredible sacrifice and courage displayed by a man who was so much a part of this community and who embodied the true spirit of selflessness, service, and bravery,” said Schumer. “For the way he dedicated his life to serving others, Daryl is a hero and an example of a true American. He will long be celebrated and honored for his hard work, dedication, and strength of character. Naming the East Rochester Post Office after him would be a truly fitting tribute to his courage, and allow his legacy to live on in an enduring way. I will be introducing the bill to rename this post office during this session of Congress, and I am confident that it will receive wide bipartisan support and a signature from the President upon arriving on his desk.”

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.

During his visit to Rochester, Schumer said that it is only fitting that this East Rochester native and protector be honored in his hometown. That is why Schumer is launching his push to rename the East Rochester Post Office, located on 206 West Commercial Street, in Officer Pierson’s honor. Schumer stood with members of local law enforcement and Officer Pierson’s surviving wife, Amy Pierson, 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 Amy Pierson and her family. 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.  

Schumer said that renaming the East Rochester Post Office after the decorated officer would be a fitting tribute for the community of East Rochester and his fellow police officers, and serve as a reminder to future generations of the incredible sacrifice and courage he demonstrated for his country and his hometown. Moreover, Schumer said, it would honor Pierson’s memory for his family members still living in East Rochester. Schumer explained that Pierson’s mother still lives in East Rochester, just behind Amy and Daryl Pierson’s house. Pierson’s ties to the community were Daryl and Amy’s reason for raising their family in the area.

Schumer was joined by Officer Pierson’s surviving wife, Amy Pierson; Amy Pierson’s father, Rev. Mitch Evans; Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli; East Rochester Mayor Fred Ricci; East Rochester Police Chief Steven Clancy, and East Rochester resident and Pierson/Evans family friend, Mary Felice Tochelli.

Schumer noted that he has been successful in previous efforts to dedicate Post Offices in a local residents honor, including his most recent effort in Rochester to rename the Rochester Main Post Office at 1335 Jefferson Road in the Town of Henrietta after Army Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende, a Rochester native killed in Afghanistan in July 2012 while assisting wounded fellow soldiers during combat. Schumer introduced legislation in 2013 to re-name the Post Office after Spc. Glende, and the legislation passed Congress last year.

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