Constable Cornelius R. DeBrine

Cornelius R. DeBrine

Constable Cornelius DeBrine succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when he was involved in a motorcycle crash on Atlantic Avenue near Hennekey Park (modern-day Akron Street), in Rochester.

Constable DeBrine had stopped at his home on Atlantic Avenue and was eating dinner when he observed a vehicle speed by. He immediately jumped on his motorcycle and began pursuing the vehicle along Atlantic Avenue. As they approached Hennekey Park the fleeing vehicle swerved around a slow-moving delivery truck. Constable DeBrine also attempted to swerve around the truck but struck a utility pole. He suffered a skull fracture and died three days later.

The vehicle he was pursuing was never located.

Constable DeBrine had been seriously injured in another vehicle crash several weeks prior and had just returned to duty. His appointment as constable was set to expire only one week after his death.

Constable DeBrine was a widower who had remarried. He was survived by his three children from his first marriage and his second wife.