Tonawanda —
A Niagara Falls police officer was arrested in the City of Tonawanda for misdemeanor assault stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this month.
Henry J. Walerowicz, 40, of Niagara Falls, surrendered voluntarily after police in the City of Tonawanda issued a warrant for his arrest.
The incident involving Walerowicz, a three-year veteran of the Falls Police force, and an unidentified adult female victim occurred on May 15 in the City of Tonawanda.
Falls cops said they became aware of the incident when they were approached by the victim.
“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.”
Chella said Niagara County prosecutors contacted their Erie County counterparts and a warrant for Walerowicz’s arrest was issued. Walerowicz surrendered before reporting to work, where he was assigned to the midnight shift.
He was not on duty at the time of the incident, officials said.
“We have consulted with the corporation counsel and the city administrator and they are drawing up suspension papers,” Chella said.
The police superintendent said Walerowicz would likely be suspended without pay for 20 working days while the criminal matter moves forward and the city prepares administrative charges against the officer. If the administrative charges are not resolved in 20 working days, Walerowicz would placed on paid administrative leave pending further hearings.
“It was a domestic incident and apparently it got physical. A complaint was made. It was reviewed by detectives. Information and statements were obtained,” City of Tonawanda Police Lt. Fredric Foels said.
“Police officers are held to the same standards and mores as everyone else. Because the person is a Niagara Falls police officer we called Niagara Falls police and talked to their professional standards unit. They were apprised of the situation. Within two hours yesterday (Walerowicz) surrendered at our police station,” he said.
Sources tell Greater Niagara Newspapers Walerowicz had a criminal arrest around the time he was hired by the Falls Police. The incident took place in Lackawanna and the case was reportedly quickly resolved and then sealed.
It’s believed the incident involved a misdemeanor complaint.
Walerowicz is the second Falls officer to face domestic violence charges in the last year. In December, veteran Officer Mark Feldhousen was arrested and charged with second-degree assault for an incident involving an estranged girlfriend.
On May 3, a Niagara County Court jury found Feldhousen guilty of third-degree assault. He faces sentencing on that conviction in June.
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Assault charges for Falls officer
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