ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A police officer killed in a shootout in Rochester, N.Y., had just returned to duty after eight months at home because of an injury to his hand.
Daryl Pierson, 32, had been a member of the police department for eight years. He was assigned to the tactical police unit.
"It's all he ever wanted to do," his wife, Amy Pierson, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "He talked about possibly becoming a homicide detective but he wasn't hard-core on what path he would take."
Pierson was shot Wednesday night as he and his partner provided backup during a traffic stop. His alleged killer was wounded and a young man walking his dog in the area was also hit by gunfire.
Thomas Johnson III, who was released in August after serving a year for parole violations, was charged Thursday night with aggravated murder. Johnson, who also faces attempted murder and weapons charges, was arraigned at Rochester General Hospital where he was being treated.
Amy Pierson said her husband spent his months on leave developing a closer relationship with his son, Christian, 4. The couple's second child, Charity, was born in May.
"We had all those months as a family, which will be something we will always cherish," she said.
