Falls police officer convicted of assaulting female

Local News

December 2, 2011

By Rick Pfeiffer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Fri Dec 02, 2011, 11:34 PM EST

CITY OF TONAWANDA — A Falls cop, accused of assault in a domestic violence incident, has been convicted after a two-day trial in City of Tonawanda Court.

Judge Mark Saltarelli found Officer Henry Walerowicz guilty of third-degree assault. He had been accused of punching, his then girlfriend in the face during an incident on May 15.

Walerowicz, 40, a three-year veteran of the Falls Police force, denied hitting the woman as he dropped her off at her city of Tonawanda apartment.

The victim, whose story had changed several times, said Walerowicz struck her during an argument over their relationship.

In handing down his decision, Saltarelli said, “This case is not an easy (case).”

Testimony in the case showed Walerowicz was involved in an intimate relationship with the victim at the same time he was seeing another woman that he has a child with, while also divorcing a third woman.

“This is a case about a woman’s scorn,” defense attorney Michelle Bergevin said during her closing argument, adding that the victim was seeking revenge. “This woman made it up.”

Medical records showed the victim suffered a concussion and had a bruise to her face.

Erie County Assistant District Attorney Lauren Williamson called Walerowicz “a liar.”

Saltarelli said he was troubled by the “characters” of both Walerowicz and his ex-girlfriend. The judge also said he didn’t put much weight on the “reality TV” aspects of the case.

Instead, Saltarelli said he made his decision based on whether the woman was hit and whether she sustained an injury.

The judge said Walerowicz had to be held to a “higher standard” because he is a police officer.

Walerowicz said nothing as Saltarelli handed down his verdict.

The victim originally contacted Falls Police about the assault.

“We were aware of the victim and her complaint,” Falls Police Superintendent John Chella said. “We turned the matter over to the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office and they determined it happened in Erie County (and referred it to the DA there).”

Chella said Walerowicz was not on duty at the time of the incident.

Walerowicz has been on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Chella said that status is now likely to change.

“I’ll be meeting with the corporation counsel Monday and we will be exploring termination (of Walerowicz),” Chella said.

Walerowicz had a criminal arrest prior to being hired by the Falls Police. The incident took place in Lackawanna and was quickly resolved and then sealed.

He is the second Falls officer to be found guilty of domestic violence charges in this year. Officer Mark Feldhousen was convicted in May on a charge of third-degree assault and sentenced to three years probation.

In October, Feldhousen was accused of violating the terms of his probation for having booze and ammunition in his home during a visit by Niagara County probation officers.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

SLIDESHOW: Memorial Day Weekend 2012 Niagara Falls celebrates Memorial Day Weekend activities on Saturday with a parade on Pine Avenue, a memorial service and viewing of the new Veterans Memorial at Hyde Park, a concert series on Old Falls Street and free boat safety inspections by the Niagara County Sheriff Department Marine Division at the City of Niagara Falls Boat Docks on Buffalo Avenue.
May 26, 2012 1 Photo
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.

May 24, 2012
Repaving work on Old Military Road rises to $790K
Sometimes a change is good. Sometimes a change is bad. For the Town of Lewiston, a change can be pretty costly.

May 24, 2012
Fifth-grader presents list of 400 names asking for new playground
A 10-year-old boy carrying a petition containing more than 400 signatures asked members of the Niagara Falls School Board on Thursday to consider building a new playground at his school.

May 24, 2012
Bomb threat leads to arrest at NT school
A North Tonawanda teen was arrested Thursday morning for sending a one-sentence bomb threat to the computer of a fellow high school student, resulting in a brief lockdown of the school.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Sense of resignation on AES pact
May 24, 2012
Marching to the new veterans memorial
It's the unofficial beginning of summer.

Memorial Day may mean cookouts with hot dogs and hamburgers, a trip on the river in a boat or simply a day off from work Monday.

May 24, 2012 2 Photos
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?