Patrolman Pierson C. Near

Syracuse Police Department

Date of Death: January 7, 1923

On January 6, 1923, at 11:30 P.M., Patrolman Pierson Near was walking his beat on East Genesee Street when Night Watchman Charles Mansir reported that James McCafferty had threatened him. Believing a robbery might have occurred, Near entered the Home Restaurant and found James and his brother Michael. After determining no crime had taken place, he instructed Michael to take his intoxicated brother home. As Near turned to leave, James became confrontational, and a fight broke out. During the struggle, Michael grabbed Near’s revolver from his hip pocket. Near pleaded with him not to shoot, but Michael fired once into the floor, then a second time, striking Near just below the heart. The brothers fled, but Michael was arrested hours later at his sister’s home and confessed. He was charged with Murder in the First Degree. Patrolman Near died of his wound at 1:45 A.M.