SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — As part of National Police Week, three officers from the Syracuse Police Department were named “TOP COPS” for their bravery the night two other officers died from a gunman’s ambush.
Syracuse Police Officers James Zollo, John Canestrare, and Benedict Rath were honored Monday night by the National Association of Police Organizations at the Omni Shoreham hotel in front of a crowd of fellow police officers.
Zollo and his partner, Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, responded to the home of a driver of a suspicious vehicle on April 14, 2024. Canestrate and Rath also responded, as did the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office as back-up for a call beyond city limits.
The man they were pursuing, Christopher Murphy, killed Lt. Michael Hooscock and Officer Jensen with an assault rifle…