Several thousand mourners are expected to attend funeral services at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester Wednesday morning for a police officer killed in the line of duty last week.
Daryl Pierson's funeral begins at 11 a.m.
Police said the 32-year-old officer was fatally shot last Wednesday night by a man wanted for a parole violation who fled from a traffic stop. Pierson's partner shot and wounded the suspect.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from as far away as California are expected to attend the services.
The funeral is open to the public. Doors at the Blue Cross Arena open at 9:30 a.m. All guests are asked to be seated by 10:30 a.m. The service will be broadcast live on City 12 and we’ll have extensive coverage on WXXI throughout the day.
The service will include eulogies by Officer Pierson’s widow, Amy and his brother, Brett. Others speaking will include Lt. Governor (and former Mayor and RPD Chief) Bob Duffy, Mayor Lovely Warren, Police Chief Michael Ciminelli and others.
Officer Pierson’s funeral process is scheduled to leave the Public Safety Building at about 10:30 a.m. It will travel to Plymouth Avenue and then head east up Broad Street toward the arena.
There will also be a 21 gun salute outside of the arena and a fly-over by a State Police helicopter. Those events will be broadcast to the audience inside the arena.
Officer Pierson will be buried in White Haven Cemetery in Pittsford. The burial is private, but people are allowed to be along the route to pay respects if they wish. The procession to the cemetery will be via 490 east to exit 31F and then Route 31F to Marsh Road.
A number of roads are closed Wednesday morning near the Blue Cross Arena because of the service from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
* Broad Street - from South Avenue to Fitzhugh Street - CLOSED
* Broad Street - from Plymouth Avenue to Fitzhugh Street - LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY
* Exchange Street - from Court Street to Broad Street - CLOSED
* Exchange Street - from Main Street to Broad Street - LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY
* Exchange Street - from Plymouth Avenue to Court Street - LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY
