Two people are due in court on Tuesday as a community mourns the line-of-duty death of a Genesee County sheriff's sergeant.

What You Need To Know

  • Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello died early Sunday during a line-of-duty incident at Batavia Downs
  • During an incident with a patron, police say Sgt. Sanfratello became unresponsive, CPR was started. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead
  • Two people are facing charges and are expected in Batavia City Court Tuesday afternoon

It is not only a solemn day for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, but for law enforcement across New York state. 

Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello’s training and expertise kept him in law enforcement circles in nearly every county in New York.

“I’m not sure anything can really comfort people at a time like this, to be honest with you. I do know that Tom loved his job and he loved working for the Sheriff’s Office,” said Counsel for the New York State Sheriff’s Association, Thomas Mitchell.

He is among Sanfratello’s colleagues dealing with the loss of their brother, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. 

“For me, [it’s] a very personal loss because I’ve known him well for quite a few years now,” said Mitchell.

Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, 54, was posted to a special assignment detail at Batavia Downs when he died during an incident with a patron, according to authorities. Batavia police say the 32-year veteran of the force was escorting a pair of patrons out of the casino after a verbal confrontation when they allegedly became combative.

Sanfratello was arresting Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia, after a struggle when investigators say he was then attacked by Michael Elmore, 33, also of Batavia. The sergeant attempted to use a Taser on Elmore, but investigators say it didn't subdue him. During the incident, they say the sergeant became unresponsive and was pronounced dead.

Elmore is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault on a police officer and second-degree burglary. Wilcox is charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree attempted assault. Both were held in the Genesee County Jail and were arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Part Court. They are set to appear on March 12 in Town of Batavia Court.

“I’ve talked to the sheriff, and I think it’s a very tough day for everybody in Genesee County,” said Mitchell. “Tom was a longtime employee there and was very, very well liked by the officers as well as the community.”

The sheriff’s office says his son is a corrections officer in the department.

Sanfratello’s family is asking for privacy at this time and is extending their sincere appreciation for all the overwhelming support they have received from friends and fellow first responders. 

“He loved what he was doing and not everybody can say that they really love their job, and I think that he knew he was providing a great service to the community," said Mitchell. "So I think that’s the best we can say about him."