Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — Anthony Mazurkiewicz, a Rochester officer, father, and husband known as “Maz” was laid to rest Monday afternoon. In his wake, he left a community and a police force dealing with the aftermath of his murder. Mazurkiewicz was shot and killed last month while working undercover.
The role and duties of law enforcement have been highly criticized recently, but Mazurkiewicz was remembered at his funeral as an officer with honor.
However the fatal shooting puts a spotlight on the relationship between police and the communities officers patrol. April Franklin, a Rochester resident and reporter, said she worried why some neighborhoods may be less welcoming to police surveillance.
“Are the police that patrol in that same community, are they a little bit more rougher, or more disrespectful towards people based on what happened, you know, because of previous bias?” Franklin said.
The Rochester police force experienced a similar attack in 2009. Officer Anthony DiPonzio was shot by 15-year-old Tyquan Rivera in an encounter on the street. DiPonzio, who was in attendance for Mazurkiewicz’s services, suffered critical injuries and was never able to return to active duty.
