Police Officer Mercer E. Weiskotten

Mercer E. Weiskotten

Officer Weiskotten was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a car while attempting to stop a speeding car.

He had his emergency lights on and was catching up with the speeder when the driver pulled out in front of him at the intersection of Fayette Boulevard and Melbourne Avenue.

The 32-year-old driver was charged with failure to yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle. He was acquitted after a judge ruled that even though Officer Weiskotten had his emergency lights on, the other driver had the right-of-way.

Officer Weiskotten had served with the Syracuse Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife and child, and his parents and brother.

In 1946 Officer Weiskotten had a near death experience when a car collided with his police motorcycle.