U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the legislation to rename the East Rochester Post Office in honor of fallen Rochester City Police Officer, Daryl Pierson, has been passed by the Senate. Now, this bill heads to the President’s desk for final signature. 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 and Gillibrand 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.
“For the way he dedicated his life to serving his country, community and others, Officer Daryl 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 will be a lasting 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 been passed on the floor of the Senate, and I will continue fighting tooth and nail until it receives final signature from the President.”
“Officer Daryl Pierson answered the highest call, putting his life on the line for others,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Officer Pierson made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and naming the East Rochester Post Office after him will honor his heroic service and is a fitting tribute for the community he served to protect and keep safe.”
Schumer and Gillibrand said this bill, initially passed out of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) and passed on the floor by the full Senate yesterday, will finally 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 and Gillibrand 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 and Gillibrand 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 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 and Gillibrand 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 and Gillibrand 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 and Gillibrand said that it is only fitting that this East Rochester native and protector be honored in his hometown. Schumer and Gillibrand said renaming this post office in Officer Pierson’s memory will serve as a lasting tribute to the fallen officer, who was an active member of the tight-knit East Rochester community. Schumer and Gillibrand 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 and Gillibrand 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