Calling hours will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Call Arena.
Burial will follow the funeral at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Sanfratello graduated from Alexander Central School in 1987. He went on to complete his Paramedic Certification while being an active member of the Alexander Fire Department from 1986-2003. Thomas began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher on February 29, 1992. Thomas was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff in 1996 and attended the Erie County Law Enforcement Academy, 88th class. He was promoted to Road Patrol Sergeant in 2007.
The precise cause of Sanfratello's death has not been released. It's been described as a medical event, but court documents obtained by The Batavian reveal that Michael J. Elmore, 33, of Batavia, is accused of attacking Sanfratello with metal chains, striking him on the head and face, hitting him with his fists, and placing him in a chokehold.
Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree. The manslaughter charge is based on alleged intent to cause serious physical injury. The aggravated assault includes an allegation of using a deadly weapon. The burglary charge includes the alleged use of a dangerous instrument.
The alleged attack on Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello at Batavia Downs early Sunday morning may have been more brutal than previously described in news releases about the incident.
In charging documents at the Town of Batavia Court, called accusatory Instruments, Michael J. Elmore is accused of leaving the casino, retrieving metal chains, reentering the building and threatening Sanfratello.
The 33-year-old Elmore allegedly "passed (the chains (now described as a necklace)) between both hands while swinging them around and making threats," and then he allegedly used the metal chains to assault Sanfratello, striking him in the head and face. He's also accused of using his fists and of placing Sanfratello in a chokehold.
Sanfratello, 54, was a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office. Investigators say Sanfratello died as a result of the attack. There have been reports that he died from a medical issue, possibly a heart attack, during the confrontation. No official document available so far confirms those reports.
Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree. The manslaughter charge is based on alleged intent to cause serious physical injury. The aggravated assault includes an allegation of using a deadly weapon. The burglary charge includes the alleged use of a dangerous instrument.
The incident began at 12:43 a.m. on Sunday when Sanfratello and Batavia Downs security responded to the Rush 34 bar for a disturbance. There, Sanfratello confronted Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia and ordered Wilcox to leave the building. While being escorted out, she allegedly became combative with Sanfratello. The accusatory instrument says she hit Sanfratello several times with the intent to injure him.
The available timeline does not indicate when Elmore became involved and was told to leave the building. According to the earlier press release and the accusatory instruments, he left and returned with the intent to commit a crime.
The initial press release from Batavia PD said that Sanfratello did attempt to deploy his taser during the struggle with Elmore.
The accusatory instruments were filed by Det. Jason Ivison (Elmore) and Det. James DeFreze (Wilcox) of the Batavia Police Department.
The arrest reports indicate that Elmore and Wilcox may have been impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident.
Lyndsey Jean Wilcox
Wilcox is charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony and attempted assault in the second degree, a Class E felony.
Both were arraigned on Sunday evening. Elmore is being held on $100,000 bail, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. Wilcox is being held on $50,000 bail, $100,000 bond, or $200,000 partially secured bond.
Contrary to social media chatter, both were still in custody on Monday afternoon.
Sanfratello was on duty, in uniform, at the time he was attacked. He was working a special detail at Batavia Downs. Batavia Downs has been compensating the Sheriff's Office for four or five months to provide law enforcement personnel at the casino on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Batavian emailed questions to District Attorney Kevin Finnell late Monday afternoon and we will either update this story or publish a new story based on any response we receive.
Earlier on Monday, the DA's Office released the following statement:
Genesee County Sheriff's Office St. Thomas Sanfratello was working a detail at the Batavia Downs Gaming Facility on March 9, 2024 when, he was called to assist Batavia Downs Security personnel with two unruly patrons. In the course of escorting the individuals from the premises, the individuals became physically combative, requiring Sgt. Sanfratello to intervene. After successfully taking one of the individuals into custody and while physically engaged with the second person, Sgt. Sanfratello suffered a medical event which ultimately resulted in his passing. The case is still being actively investigated by the Batavia City Police Department and further charges are pending.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Sgt. Sanfratello's family at this most difficult time.
A 33-year-old Batavia man with multiple prior arrests is accused of intending to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement officer and that his attack on the officer resulted in the death of the officer.
At 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, died after a struggle with the suspect inside Batavia Downs.
Michael J. Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree.
Elmore is accused of leaving the casino and returning after being told not to return, and that he returned with the intent to commit a crime in the casino. He then allegedly attacked Sanfrantello with the intent to cause a serious injury to him.
According to an earlier press release, Sanfratello was working a special detail early Sunday morning at Batavia Downs when he and security officers received a report of a disturbance at 34 Rush.
Lyndsey Jean Wilcox
Sanfratello and the security officers encountered Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia, and she was ordered to leave the premises. While being escorted out, Wilcox allegedly became combative with Sanfratello.
Sanfratello and the security officers were able to subdue her and place her in custody.
It was then that Elmore allegedly attacked Sanfratello. Security officers and civilians reportedly attempted to assist Sanfratello. Sanfratello attempted to use his taser to subdue Elmore, but Elmore reportedly kept fighting. During the struggle, Sanfratello became unresponsive, and CPR was attempted.
Wilcox is charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony and attempted assault in the second degree, a Class E felony.
She is accused of remaining inside Batavia Downs after being told to leave and did so with the intent to commit a crime inside the casino.
Both were arraigned on Sunday evening. Elmore is being held on $100,000 bail, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. Wilcox is being held on $50,000 bail, $100,000 bond, or $200,000 partially secured bond.
Both are scheduled to appear again in Town of Batavia Court on March 12.
The Batavia Police Department is handling the investigation.
"We would like to thank all those who came forward with information to assist the investigation and those who assisted at the scene," said Chief Shawn Heubusch. "We ask that you keep the family and friends of Sgt. Sanfratello in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."
Sanfratello began his law enforcement career as a dispatcher on Feb. 29, 1992. He was appointed deputy in 1996 and promoted to sergeant in 2007.
In an interview with The Batavian, Henry Wojtaszek, CEO of Western Regional OTB, said that Batavia Downs began contracting with the Sheriff's Office four or five months ago to provide a security detail to the casino on Friday and Saturday nights. He said the arrangement is similar to what Batavia Downs does with Batavia PD and the Sheriff's Office during the summer concert series and that the agencies are compensated for the officers' time.
In a written statement released to all media, Wojtaszek said, "The Batavia Downs Family is extremely saddened by the loss of Sergeant Sanfratello and we send our very deepest condolences to his family. We rarely have incidents at our facility in large part due to the incredible efforts of people like Sergeant Sanfratello. While words cannot express our sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with the SanFratello family and his extended first responder family."
During an altercation with a criminal suspect at Batavia Downs shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday, a Sheriff's Office sergeant became unresponsive and, despite life-saving attempts by Batavia Downs security staff, was later pronounced dead by the Genesee County Coroner.
Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, was a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office. He was working a special assignment detail at the Batavia Downs while on duty.
The investigation has been transferred to the Batavia Police Department, which issued a statement about the case Sunday afternoon.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of Sergeant Sanfratello and all the members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at this extremely difficult time,” said Batavia Police Department Chief Shawn Heubusch.
The Sheriff's Office also released a statement expressing its deep regret and sorrow at Sanfratello's passing.
Michael J. Elmore 2013 File Photo/Booking Photo
The statement also stated, "Sergeant Sanfratello’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for all the overwhelming support they have received from friends and fellow first responders."
According to Heubusch, Sheriff's Sergeant Sanfratello and casino security were notified about an altercation inside the facility.
Heubusch said that Sanfratello and security were notified about 12:45 a.m. of a possible fight inside the casino. After an initial verbal confrontation inside Rush 34, Sanfratello and security staff began escorting two patrons from the facility.
The patrons are identified as Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39.
As they were escorted, Wilcox is accused of becoming physically combative with Sanfratello. With the assistance of security officers, Wilcox was restrained and placed under arrest.
At that point, Elmore allegedly interfered with her arrest and attacked Sanfratello.
Security officers and civilians attempted to assist Sanfratello. A fight ensued. Sanfratello attempted to use his taser to subdue Elmore but Elmore reportedly kept fighting.
During the fight, Sanfratello became unresponsive. People on scene began CPR.
The life-saving attempts were unsuccessful.
Heubusch said no further details are being released at this time.
Charges are expected against Elmore, according to Heuubusch. He did not elaborate.
Sanfratello began his law enforcement career as a dispatcher on Feb. 29, 1992. He was appointed deputy in 1996 and promoted to sergeant in 2007.
Gilmart Funeral Home and Cremation Company in Batavia is handling funeral arrangements. More information about funeral plans will be released later.
He served two years in state prison on the attempted burglary charge. His parole ended in 2021.
UPDATE: Henry Wojtaszek, CEO of Western Regional OTB, released the following statement:
The Batavia Downs Family is extremely saddened by the loss of Sergeant Sanfratello and we send our very deepest condolences to his family. We rarely have incidents at our facility in large part due to the incredible efforts of people like Sergeant SanFratello.
While words cannot express our sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with the SanFratello family and his extended first responder family.
The safety of our guests and our dedicated staff is our highest priority, and we will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement throughout their investigation.
We are committed to assisting the SanFratello family and the entire community through this difficult time.
In an interview with The Batavian, Wojtaszek said that Batavia Downs began contracting with the Sheriff's Office four or five months ago to provide a security detail to the casino on Friday and Saturday nights. He said the arrangement is similar to what Batavia Downs does with Batavia PD and the Sheriff's Office during the summer concert series and that the agencies are compensated for the officers' time. He reiterated during the interview, "We are committed to the safety and security of our patrons."
UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: Heubusch said Elmore is in custody pending charges.
According to Heubusch, this is an ongoing investigation. Witnesses and people with video of the incident are asked to come forward. The Detective Bureau can be reached at 585-345-6311 or submit a tip at www.bataviapolice.org.
