In his opening remarks Thursday in Syracuse, President Joe Biden recalled the law enforcement officers recently killed in Salina as "two fallen heroes," and planned to meet with their families, authorities said.
"The entire Syracuse community is grieving, and we're grieving with you," Biden said at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, where he came to announce funding for Micron's semiconductor plant in nearby Clay. "We pray for their loved ones, whose hearts were broken."
Biden will meet with the families of Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock, as well as Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley, according to spokespersons from the city police and sheriff's departments.
The April 14 shooting deaths and recent burials of Hoosock and Jensen remain on the minds of police and elected officials.
On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon also paid tribute to their service and sacrifice at the Micron event.
Prior to the event, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile expressed concern to the Secret Service about the department's capacity to adequately cover security for the event amid grieving and planning for services. Most city officers were assigned on a voluntary basis, and state troopers pitched in to help, Cecile said.