Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Blue Mass' Held to Honor Officer Pierson in Brighton

Michelle Faust

Law enforcement from around the area is mourning the death of Officer Daryl Pierson, who was killed in a shooting Wednesday night.

Bishop Salvatore Matano gave a special “Blue Mass” in Pierson’s honor Friday morning at 7 at Our Lady Queen of Peace church in Brighton.

Matano says the incident is a time to pray for peace for the Rochester area and to give thanks to the police that do dangerous work.

"So while we may not know them personally, we know of their vocation. We know their sacrifices. And this is a moment for us to express appreciation for all they do and to recognize that the sacrifice can be the greatest of sacrifices: their own life," the Bishop told reporters Friday.

Sergeant James Reed of the Irondequoit Police Department says the service provided a sense of relief.

Credit Michelle Faust

"At the moment I'm feeling at peace. This one of the pieces that is going to help all of us in the healing process. I think it was very important for all of us to be here, especially those of us who were there that night, to help try to answer some questions and to put some things into perspective for us," said Reed, who was one of many officers that responded Wednesday night to call of “officer down.”