Michael “Hootch” Hoosock

On April 14, 2024, Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael “Hootch” Hoosock was shot and killed during a shootout that occurred after the suspect took off from a traffic stop in Salina, a Syracuse, New York suburb. 

An Onondaga, New York native, Hoosock served about 20 years in public safety and service as a paramedic, volunteer firefighter, and with the sheriff’s office. In September of 2007, he joined the Onondaga Sheriff’s Office where he served as a Deputy. Hoosock earned three promotions in his 16 honorable years in law enforcement, having been promoted to Sergeant in 2015, Detective Sergeant in 2022, and Lieutenant most recently in June of 2023. Additionally, he had volunteered with the Lyncourt Fire Department from 2002 to 2007 and was still volunteering with the Moyers Corners Fire Department as well as the Manlius Fire Department at the time of his premature passing. In 2020, Hoosock was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions in taking down a shooter at the Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse in 2011. He was also specialty trained in bomb mitigation and SWAT.

Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael “Hootch” Hoosock is survived by his loving wife, Caitlin, and their three young children, ages seven, five, and three.