A meaningful tribute to a local hero will soon be visible to drivers along a stretch of State Route 46 in the Mohawk Valley. Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation officially dedicating a portion of the highway as the Officer Michael E. Jensen Memorial Highway, honoring the Syracuse Police Officer and Rome native who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The memorial section spans from Prospect Street in the City of Rome to Dixon Drive in the Town of Western, creating a lasting tribute that connects the community that shaped Officer Jensen with his legacy of service.
A Life Cut Short in Service to Others
Officer Michael E. Jensen was just 29 years old when he was killed in the line of duty on April 14, 2024, while responding to a standoff in Salina. The tragic incident also claimed the life of Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, marking one of the darkest days in recent Central New York law enforcement history.
Jensen’s roots ran deep in the Mohawk Valley community. A proud graduate of Rome Free Academy, he was known throughout his school years for his exceptional leadership, discipline, and humility. Fellow students and teachers remembered him as someone who excelled both in the classroom and on the athletic field, consistently demonstrating the character traits that would later define his law enforcement career.
After graduation, Jensen continued his education at Le Moyne College, where he earned both a degree in accounting and an MBA before choosing to dedicate his life to public service through law enforcement.
Bipartisan Support for Memorial Highway
The legislation creating this memorial received strong bipartisan support from local representatives who knew the importance of honoring Jensen’s sacrifice.
“By dedicating a portion of State Route 46 in honor of Officer Jensen, we are paying tribute to an exceptional individual and dedicated public servant who exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement,” said State Senator Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, who sponsored the legislation. “This designation, fittingly located in the community that raised and meant so much to him, will ensure that Officer Jensen’s honorable legacy will endure for generations to come.”
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, who co-sponsored the bill, emphasized the personal impact Jensen had on his community. “Michael Jensen’s life was a shining example of courage, kindness, and commitment to others,” she said. “He gave so much of himself to protect and serve, and our community is forever better because of him. It is deeply meaningful to know that his name will now live on through this highway, serving as a daily reminder of the sacrifice, love, and strength he brought to everyone around him.”
Memorial Signs Coming Soon
The New York State Department of Transportation will install memorial highway signs along the designated portion of Route 46 in the coming months. These signs will serve as a permanent reminder to daily commuters and visitors alike of Officer Jensen’s ultimate sacrifice and the ongoing dedication of law enforcement officers throughout the region.
The memorial highway designation joins other regional tributes to fallen officers and first responders, demonstrating the Mohawk Valley’s unwavering commitment to honoring those who serve and protect our communities.
A Community’s Lasting Tribute
This highway dedication represents more than just a name on a road sign—it preserves the memory of a young man who embodied the very best of public service. For residents of Rome and the broader Mohawk Valley, the Officer Michael E. Jensen Memorial Highway will serve as a daily reminder of the courage and dedication shown by law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.
As travelers pass through this section of Route 46, they’ll be reminded not only of Officer Jensen’s sacrifice but also of the ongoing service of current law enforcement officers who continue to protect and serve throughout Central New York.
The memorial stands as a testament to a life well-lived and a service honorably rendered, ensuring that Officer Michael E. Jensen’s legacy will endure for generations to come.
