ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Sunday marked two years since the murder of Anthony Mazurkiewicz, a Rochester police officer ambushed in the line of duty. A retired RPD sergeant who ran 50 marathons in 50 days to honor his old partner is still keeping Maz’s memory alive.

Running is not for everyone.

“People don’t run, you know why? Because it’s not fun,” said Brett Sonieraski. “At times it’s boring. At time it hurts.”

Sobieraski finds comfort in the discomfort. Like the recent 20-mile run which he took part in, celebrating Rochester running store Fleet Feet’s 20 years in business.

“I stick with what I can do or what I do best,” he said. “And running is one of those.”

It’s easier when you’re running with purpose. Sobieraski has the ultimate purpose.

The night two years ago is still fresh in his mind. On June 21, 2022, two Rochester police officers were ambushed during a stakeout. Mazurkiewicz, a veteran tactical officer, died. Another officer, Sino Seng, was injured.

“I think I speak for a lot of the men and women who worked with him in that we're as sad then as we are now,” he said. “Time heals, but sometimes it doesn’t.”

Sobieraski is a retired city cop who served with Mazurkiewicz.  

“First and foremost, he was a great street cop with great intuition,” he said. “He had an ability to talk to people from all walks of life - it didn't matter if it was a homeless person or the mayor, it didn't matter. Everyone got the same Tony, the genuine Tony, and Tony told it how it was.”

To honor his friend, Sobieraski had an ambitious plan. To run 50 marathons in 50 days in eight states, all to honor Maz.

“I felt like Tony's sacrifice was a little bit overlooked and underappreciated, maybe undervalued,” he said. “And I wanted to change that."

During his string of marathons last year, Sobieraski raised over $100,000 for the Mazurkiewicz family, pushing through on days he thought he might not make it.

“There's there's a handful of things that would often occupy my thoughts, especially when the going was tough,” he said. “And first and foremost, it was Tony. And then it was his family.“

Those 1,300 miles offer a lot of time for reflection. Sobieraski decided to write a book about his 50 marathons in 50 days. Just like the run, all proceeds benefit the late officer’s family.

“It talks about all those great people I met along the way,” he said. “All the humanity I saw, all the kindness. It was life changing.”

The pain of running is nothing compared to the pain of losing a fellow officer and friend. A life gone, but still celebrated.

“We’re still sad over his loss” said Sobieraski. “I knew that it had to be something that could closely match the persona of man like Anthony Mazurkiewicz, because he was larger than life.”