Obituary of Michael E Jensen

Michael E. Jensen

1994 - 2024

Beloved son, brother, officer, and friend. A true gem.

Michael Jensen lost his life in the line of duty on Sunday, April 14, 2024. He was 29.

Michael was born December 7, 1994, in New Hartford, NY to Paul and Michelle (Smaldon) Jensen. A native of Rome, NY, he graduated from Rome Free Academy in 2013. He attended Le Moyne College, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2017 and his Master’s in Business Administration in 2018.

Michael loved hockey, soccer, and baseball, playing local youth sports throughout his childhood. He spent countless weekends traveling for tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. Michael was a member of the Le Moyne College hockey team where he remains a leader in all-time points, goals, and assists. His passion continued after graduating as he continued to play recreation league hockey as an adult. Michael was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

Prior to joining the Syracuse Police Department, Michael worked as an accountant for four years before trading out his desk job to join the department.

But Michael was so much more than his accolades. He was a gem in every sense of the word. Always equipped with a smirk, his dry sense of humor and goofiness was contagious to everyone Michael crossed paths with. He always had something to say that would make you laugh. He leaves behind wonderful memories and stories that his family, friends, and those who knew him will cherish forever. His family, friends, and loved ones will miss him dearly.

Michael leaves behind his parents, Paul and Michelle Jensen; sister, ShelliAnn Jensen and brother-in-law Jared Groff of Philadelphia, K-9 siblings, Marco and Crosby (who he both loved and antagonized); aunts and uncles Jim and Donna Smaldon, Cindi and Rowe Wheeler, and families; grandmother Ardyce Jensen, aunts and uncles Deb and Bill Ehlers, Beth and Dave Kolb, Karen and Jerry Barthel all of South Dakota, and Dawn and Ed Vallee of Oklahoma and all of their families. Michael was predeceased by his grandparents, Mike and Dolly (Campanaro) Smaldon, and Edmand Jensen. Michael also leaves behind so many other family and friends that the list would go on forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Michael’s name to the Rome Youth Hockey Association at RYHA, P.O. Box 861, Rome, N.Y. 13440, or the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association P.O. Box 11218, Syracuse, NY, 13218, or the Marion Guild of St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E Dominick Street, Rome, NY, 13440.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday April 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick Street in Rome, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, on Friday April 19, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.

End of Watch April 14, 2024