Derek “Rick” DePietro

FALCONER — A former village resident, longtime police officer and trustee was remembered by Village Board members this week.

Shortly into their meeting Monday, Mayor James Jaroszynski called for a moment of silence for Derek “Rick” DePietro, who died Jan. 25 at the age of 66. DePietro had lived in Falconer and Jamestown prior to moving to Florida; his law enforcement career included stints at Chautauqua Institution and the Falconer Police Department before serving for 25 years with the neighboring Jamestown Police Department.

His obituary states, “He was proud to serve the citizens of Jamestown as a member of the Street Crimes Unit, the Narcotics Task Force, the Detective Bureau, and as Patrol Sergeant. Rick loved the opportunity to work with middle school students in Jamestown as the first JPD D.A.R.E. officer.”

Jaroszynski, a longtime police officer himself for the town of Ellicott, acknowledged DePietro’s career and ties to the community.

“He started out with the village of Falconer PD and moved on to Jamestown PD,” Jaroszynski said, later adding, “I’d just like to take a moment just to observe his passing.”

According to his obituary, DePietro graduated from Falconer High School, Jamestown Community College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

In March 2003, DePietro announced he was running as a Democrat for a seat on the Falconer Village Board. In his announcement that ran in The Post-Journal, he said his focus as a trustee would be keeping “Falconer a safe community, one in which its residents take pride in as a sought-after community in which to raise a family. Falconer is known for its friendly people and atmosphere and I pledge to keep residents informed and maintain an openness with residents through dialogue and communication. I look forward to serving the community in a more active role.”

After retiring as a sergeant in Jamestown, DePietro began his “second career” with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

His passing followed a “heroic fight against cancer,” his obituary states. He is survived by his wife, a son and two brothers, along with and nieces and nephews.

Local police, with the assistance of the Falconer and Jamestown fire departments, honored DePietro on Feb. 4 following a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Falconer.