Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

John Falcone Blood Drive draws 70+ donors amid blood shortage

Posted on FEB. 21, 2022
News 1

Poughkeepsie police helped secure 50 pints of blood to go toward alleviating the Red Cross’s worst blood shortage in years, and they did it with help from the memory of a fallen hero.

“It’s going to be a very busy event,” Poughkeepsie Police Detective Steven Cowles said as he checked in donors at Monday’s annual John Falcone Blood Drive at the Grandview event center in Poughkeepsie.

Falcone was shot and killed in February 2011 at the Poughkeepsie Metro-North train station during a struggle with a man who had just shot his wife a few blocks away, and was holding the couple’s 3-year-old daughter.

Monday’s blood drive was the 12th held in Falcone’s memory.

Detective Steven Cowles, a former colleague of Falcone’s, said Monday every year the event draws a mix of public servants who know Falcone’s story well, and others who did not know him, but learn about him.

“We do get a lot of law enforcement signups … county court employees, city of Poughkeepsie employees, so anyone who had contact with John,” he explained. “It’s also open to the public. We get a lot of online signups that way.”

Monday’s event was completely booked before it began.

Red Cross account manager Susan Sommer said the recently passed COVID-19 Omicron variant spike kept many people inside and, in turn, kept them from giving blood, creating a massive shortage in donated blood.

She was pleased with Monday’s turnout, and explained that she saw a connection: Detective Falcone gave everything, and on the anniversary of his death, people from his community gave something.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice,” Sommer said. “For the police department to be doing this blood drive every year in his honor is just such a wonderful, thoughtful memorial to what he did.”

Sommer said the Red Cross ended with 50 units of blood through the event, and the donations could help up to 150 people.

She added that the Red Cross is finally beginning to see an uptick in donations following the omicron spike.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

February 21, 2022

May you continue to Rest In Peace thank you for your service

Mark Mottola

February 18, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Falcone.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 18, 2020

My wife and I were walking the trail across the river and came upon Det Falcones memorial. After taking a moment to pay my respects,I returned to my wife with a tear in my eye. As a ret LEO and father of NYPD ptlm my heartfelt thanks and support go out to Det Falcones family. FIDELIS AD MORTEM.

Det Arthur Ubben. Ret
City of Peekskill PD

June 17, 2019

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 20, 2018

I still think of you and miss you!
You were my angel in those Mercy College days, always helping me.
I thank you, I continue to pray for you,
Blessings upon you.

Anonymous friend

April 3, 2018

"All men are created equal, but a few become brothers"

We worked together a few times, as we where from different agencies. You where a good man, a great police officer.

The courage, honor and valor you showed on the day 7 years ago will never be forgotten.

And as that day approaches, I wanted to say, we all still think of you. Just say, your watch here is over. but those still here remember you.

I pray that when I wore the badge, I honored you in my actions. I pray that when I'm called home you'll be the one on watch at the gates to greet me.

See you then, whenever that day may be. And John tell ALL of our brothers and sisters home already, WE LOVE THEM, MISS THEM AND THANK YOU !

" Remind the few , who ill of us they speak, that we are the only thing that separates evil from the weak" ..,..

A Brother
Thin Blue Line

February 16, 2018

I am not a Police officer, as a matter of fact I am an ex-felony offender, but I hold no malice towards any police officer because i broke the law, and when they arrested me, they were just doing their job. I have not been in any trouble for over 20 years, and in those 20 years I long ago started to respect the police and the job that they do, to protect me and mine. God bless this officer and his family. may he rest in peace

citizen
respect for the uniform

February 19, 2017

No words of mine could ever sum up the loss that your friends and family must feel. Very sorry, please accept my condolences and my thanks for your service to our country. RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

March 29, 2016

Thoughts and prayers with your family today on your E.O.W.

Ofc. Matthew S. Dunn (retired) father of Ofc. Andrew S. Dunn Sandusky P.D. E.O.W. 3-19-2011

OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN
SANDUSKY P.D. (OH)

February 18, 2016

I said a little prayer today for Detective Falcone and his family. He may be gone but not forgotten. He will always be a New York hero.

Robyn Wilkes

February 16, 2016

I live in Poughkeepsie and am currently a NYS Court Officer. I remember hearing about this when it happened. You are a hero brother. Because of you, a child lived. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Court Officer Jeremy Pink
NYS Courts

July 30, 2015

4 YEARS OF YOUR DEATH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE

FEBRUARY 10, 2015

AGTE. JORGE L. VELEZ
PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPT.

February 10, 2015

I came across your page today brother. I pray that child knows how lucky they were that you were there to give your life for theirs.

Bless you and your loved ones. I am sure their suffering knows no bounds.

Constable A. Pandolfi
York Regional Police

May 20, 2014

Deepest condolences to the Poughkeepsie P. D., on the loss of a brother officer, and to his family.

Ofc. Glenn Pecnik Sh. 5629
NYC Auxiliary Police Dept. (Ret.)

February 18, 2014

YOU are in our thoughts and prayers.

Detective Bruce Griffing
T/O Poughkeepsie PD (Retired)

November 30, 2013

you will never be forgotten. I pray for you every night

nicholas damicantonio

November 13, 2013

He was a great person.

Jeanne

March 4, 2013

What a great LOSS it to bad that the women cause this by

violated her own restraining order and contacted ths man
is very sad .......

TOM
US ARMY

February 1, 2013

Rest In Peace Det. Falcone.

Gone but not forgotten.

J. Lambert
City of Poughkeepsie citizen

January 5, 2013

i only hope i could be just as brave as you if ever faced with a similar situation. rest in peace officer.

aux. officer

November 30, 2012

to the family of john , we never met but john served on same police force as my grandfather who was all so killed in the line of duty 43 years ago . the heart ache is still there but so is the respect and honor that never will be forgotten . your son is a special person to have given his life to save a child .not knowing him or you i want to say sorry for your heart ache and pain but your son all so showed the whole world what are world has forgotten the passion and love for others . what a great man. my prayers go out to you and your family .

kathleen r cleveland
grandaughter of raymond cleveland eowsept 25 1969

October 13, 2012

John, we never met, however our patrol areas & friends often crossed. I will always respect your services and sacrifice.

M.D. Reilly
NYSP, Troop K, SP Poughkeepsie

September 17, 2012

John, I don't know why today, for some unknown reason, you came into my mind and with such fondness, I remembered the times we worked together and the amazing guy you are. Although my time was short at CPPD, you were nothing less than what an Officer of the Law should be; courageous, valiant, dedicated and respected. From the most serious of calls, to the caring of fellow officers and PSD's, you were the consummate gentleman and the most dedicated of officer! Time has passed, the CPKPD has moved forward, some have since left, other has since come; but no single person forgets you and what you sacrificed to save a child and capture a murderer. The pain dulls, the ache never leaves, but now with a smile we can think of the good times and know you are in Heaven, watching down upon your fellow brothers/sisters in blue, and the support staff that you so much respected. You never demanded respect, it was given to you graciously and deservingly. Many different reasons bring men and woman into our field, those who knew you never doubted that you truly wanted to just make a difference; and you did so above and beyond that call of duty. Many say the good die young, and it's the harshest reality to deal with but you my friend, are truly not just the best, but the truest of an American hero; a soldier of the streets, fearless and dedicated. RIP my friend; no amount of time will make us forget, and no amount of distance will dull your spirit and memory. Detective Falcone, you are my unselfish hero, may the Lord continue to bless you in Heaven and shine love and healing upon your family. God speed my brother, till we meet again!

PSD
CPK/PD

August 3, 2012

Rest in peace, brother.

DDO Carlos
DHS ICE

May 15, 2012