Fallen CNY Law Enforcement Identified

SYRACUSE, NY (WENY) -- Authorities in Onondaga County, New York identified the two law enforcement officers who died in a shootout with a suspect Sunday evening.

Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, and Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Lt. Michael Hoosock both died in the line of duty on April 14th. 

According to the Syracuse Police Department, Officer Jensen joined the department in February of 2022, serving in the Patrol Division on the Third Platoon. In December of 2023, he was awarded Officer of the Month.  

The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office says Lt. Michael Hoosock had been a member of the department since 2007, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2023. With the department, he was the EOD commander, and had earned many medals of commendation. He also served with the Moyers Corners Fire Department. He leaves behind a wife and three young children. 

According to Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile, Officer Jensen and another officer noticed a suspicious vehicle around 7PM Sunday in the city of Syracuse. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled and the officers lost sight of the car, which hit speeds of over 100 mph. Police were able to track the car's license plate and registration to a home in Liverpool. The officers went to the address, arriving along with Sheriff's deputies with Onondaga County, including Lt. Michael Hoosock. 

Police say the officers and deputies took cover outside of the home when they heard the sound of "a gun being manipulated". According to Onondaga County Sheriff Tobias Shelley, Lt. Hoosock had taken cover in the backyard of a neighboring home when he was ambushed by the suspect, who used an AR-15 rifle. The suspect then moved to the front of the home, exchanging gunfire with Officer Jensen and other law enforcement. According to Chief Cecile, Jensen was fatally hit, but not before returning fire and killing the suspect. 

The shooter has been identified as Christopher Murphy, 33, of Salina. A second person was caught trying to jump over a fence on the property, police said. That person has not been charged with a crime at this time.