Residents of East Rochester, where Daryl Pierson lived with his family, are paying tribute to the slain Rochester Police officer tonight.
Many residents are replacing their porch lights with a blue light bulb in remembrance of their neighbor who was shot and killed in the line of duty a week ago. "Tonight at dusk, they're trying to line the streets of the village with luminaries, you know, little white bags with tea candles,” said Mark Barbero, owner of Debbie’s Supply. “We have donated a limitless supply to all in the village who are in need."
Barbero says officer Pierson often came into his store.
When the procession of cars makes its way to Pierson's final resting place at White Haven Cemetery this afternoon, residents will be standing along Fairport Road to pay their respects.
Longtime village resident Joanne Brokaw says the entire East Rochester community is mourning the fallen officer. "I think when you're in a small town like East Rochester and something like this happens and it hits so close to home, it's sort of a double sorrow. This is a really tight knit community and the mourning sort of permeates everything about the community here."
Brokaw is the daughter of a retired Gates Police officer. She said she is thinking about the sacrifice made by all families who have members serving in law enforcement.
