Summary:
- A verbal confrontation started the fight after midnight on Sunday.
- A male and female fight then turned physical towards the officer.
- Sanfratello became unresponsive during the incident and died at the scene.
Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello died yesterday after attempting to de-escalate a fight at the Batavia Downs Casino.
The venue near Rochester was where Sanfratello was on special assignment, and a verbal confrontation was ensured. A man and woman were removed from the casino and ended up fighting Sanfratello, and he later died during the incident.
The Confrontation Leads to Death
Sanfratello was alerted close to 1 am on Sunday that a verbal altercation occurred in the casino. Security of the Batavia Downs and Sanfratello removed two people from the New York casino due to the confrontation. The individuals in question are Michael J. Elmore and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox.
As the two were removed, Wilcox became physical. She started fighting Sanfratello as he tried to restrain her. Elmore interfered, and both attacked the officer. A big fight began, and Sanfratello tried to use a Taser on Elmore.
At the same time, Sanfratello became unresponsive and died at the scene. CPR was attempted but did not help. It is unclear if Sanfratello might have suffered a heart attack or some other natural cause of death due to the exertion of the fight. It could be that the blows from Elmore may have caused the injuries that led to the Sergeant’s death, and that is most likely what is being investigated.
The Outcome
Sanfratello was a 32-year veteran of law enforcement who started as a dispatcher with the sheriff’s office in 1992. He was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in 1996 and made Sergeant in 2007. The casino has spoken out since the incident, stating that it is saddened by Sergeant Sanfratello’s death, and sends its deepest condolences to the family.
The casino pointed out that incidents like this are rare and are so because of people like Sergeant Sanfratello, who help with the venue’s security needs. It is not uncommon for a fight to break out at a casino anywhere in the US due to patrons overdrinking. Police and security often have to break up incidents when they occur due to patrons’ belligerent behavior.
The City of Batavia Police Department is now investigating to try and figure out what exactly happened during the incident. Wilcox and Elmore were arrested on several felony charges after the fight occurred. Elmore faces first-degree manslaughter, second-degree burglary, and aggravated assault on a police officer. Wilcox faces charges of attempted assault and second-degree burglary.
Both are in the Genesee County Jail and will be arraigned on March 12. As the police department continues its investigation, more information on the case is expected in the coming weeks.
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