POUGHKEEPSIE – City police officer John Falcone, posthumously promoted to detective, was honored Friday afternoon in Poughkeepsie. The annual ceremony held at the memorial where he was killed in the line of duty takes place at 1:07 p.m. every February 18th.
Detective Falcone was shot to death by a man on February 18, 2011, at 1:07 p.m. near the Poughkeepsie train station. On that fateful day, Falcone had responded to a domestic incident in which Jessica Welch had been murdered by her estranged husband Lee Welch. Falcone responded and a struggle ensued between himself and the perpetrator. Falcone suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Lee Welch then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
Many current and former City of Poughkeepsie officers were joined by members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, along with the Poughkeepsie Fire Department in standing at attention while the annual wreath-laying ceremony was conducted by Poughkeepsie PBA President Kevin Van Wagner and Vice-president Detective Chris Libolt. A moment of silence was held and then a prayer was offered while Detective Falcone’s father stood in solemn remembrance.
Police Captain Rich Wilson, who was the Neighborhood Recovery Unit (NRU) sergeant when Falcone was murdered remarked on Friday’s vigil, saying, “We come together to remember and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice John Falcone gave in protecting the City of Poughkeepsie community. It is also a time to draw attention to the danger that exists as we each strive to create a safer Poughkeepsie for all.” Van Wagner stressed the importance of continuing the annual ceremony. “This mark’s the 11th anniversary of Detective John Falcone’s tragedy. Today we pay our respects to our brother in blue who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our city and its residents. John’s memorial not only pays our respects to this hero but reminds our city of the dangers we face daily as police officers.”
Because the ceremony is about Falcone, elected officials do not speak at the event. Mayor Rob Rolison, a retired Town of Poughkeepsie Detective has faithfully paid his respects to Falcone every year. “John sacrificed his life to save another. This city will always remember him and that sacrifice. We need to keep all of our police officers in our thoughts as they face danger every day for us.”
