Hochul directs flags to half-staff to honor fallen Genesee County sergeant

Flags to be flown concurrently at half-staff on March 16

Gov. Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 16 in honor of fallen Genesee County Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello. Sanfratello also served as a board member for the Town of Alexander.

This memorial act is concurrent with the half-staff order already in place in honor of New York National Guard members Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, who died during a federal deployment at the southern border.

“From the Town Board to the Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello dedicated his life to improving the lives of his neighbors and protecting his community,” Hochul said. “My heart goes out to Sgt. Sanfratello’s family and loved ones. May the courage he showed throughout a lifetime of service be a comfort to those he leaves behind.”

On March 10, Sanfratello died in the line of duty in Batavia. Originally from Batavia, Sanfratello served in law enforcement for more than two decades. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy; his children, Ian, Kyla and Alexis; and countless other family and friends.