28 Years Later, Legacy Of Murdered Cop From Wayne Lives On

WAYNE, N.J. — Nearly 30 years after his death, the legacy of Michael J. Buczek lives on in ways he could not possibly have imagined.

Buczek grew up in Wayne and wanted to be a police officer. He was a township dispatcher for four months in in 1985 before joining the New York City Police Department's 34th Precinct in Washington Heights, which was one of the New York City's most crime-ridden areas in the 1980s.

Buczek was murdered Oct. 18, 1988 when he and his partner attempted to arrest two men on a drug charge in an apartment building on West 161st Street. He was 24. A man shot Buczek while trying to run from the scene. He was killed less than one hour after another officer, Detective Chris Hoban, was murdered in a separate incident.

Three suspects fled to the Dominican Republic. One later died in police custody. The other two were sentenced in 2003 to prison terms of 25 years to life.

Buczek's family, with the help of the New York City Police Department and volunteers, founded the Police Officer Michael Buczek Little League in 1989. Giving back to the community was something Buczek cared a great deal about.

"At least 300 kids a year, times 28 years — we've affected many lives in my brother's memory," said Buczek's sister, Mary Jo.

Police officers, including many from the 34th Precinct, volunteer their time to coach the teams. The league is unique in that team jerseys do not feature the players' names on them. Instead, they have the names of NYPD officers who died in the line of duty.

Many officers, former players, and parents credit the league for helping to reduce the amount of crime in Washington Heights. More than 30 former league players have gone into law enforcement.

"I'm a firm believer that the little league has contributed to the reduction in violence in Washington Heights," said Sgt. John Moynihan in an ESPN story about the league. "There's such an important, integral bond between the police and the community."

Buczek also has a school, P.S. 48 P.O. Michael J. Buczek in Manhattan named after him.

A memorial service in Buczek's memory was held Tuesday. Many of the kids from the league and the department's top brass attended.

"It was amazing that 28 years later, my brother is still remembered," Mary Jo Buczek said. "My family works very hard to keep that bridge between the police department and the kids open. These police officers, they're the good guys. They are the people you go to when you are in trouble."

A plaque in Buczek's memory hangs in the Wayne Police Department headquarters lobby. Detective Capt. Laurence Martin wrote an email to the department Tuesday about Buczek.

"So today we are reminded of this terrible day in 1988 and how costly the price of our freedom is," Martin said in the email. "Please keep his surviving family members in your thoughts today during this anniversary of his death."

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Michael J. Buczek — Courtesy of Mary Jo Buczek