David M. Elmer, retired Amherst police detective sergeant

Elmer

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Friday, July 5 in SS. Peter & Paul Church, Williamsville, for David M. Elmer.

Mr. Elmer, 70, of Eggertsville, a retired Amherst police detective sergeant, died Tuesday, July 3, 2007.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Elmer was a 1954 graduate of Kenmore High School. He attended Buffalo State College and the University at Buffalo.

In April 1965, Mr. Elmer joined the Amherst Police Department, where he worked for 29 years. He was a detective most of his career, focusing on solving street crimes and burglaries. He also worked on a few murder cases. In 1973, a case in which he discovered a handprint on a car that helped solve a homicide earned him Amherst's Officer of the Year honor. Inside Detective magazine also recognized Mr. Elmer's efforts.

"He had a good logic to resolve cases," said Joseph B. Scioli, a retired Amherst captain of the detective bureau who worked with Mr. Elmer for several years. "I'd give him a case after some detectives would look at it and he would attack it from a different angle."

"He was meticulous on homicides," added Larry J. Bainbridge, a retired Amherst detective sergeant who was Mr. Elmer's partner on the force for five years. "He never gave up. He was an asset to the department."

Mr. Elmer also received several department merit awards.

Prior to joining the Amherst Police Department, Mr. Elmer worked at Westinghouse and as an auto mechanic.

Mr. Elmer is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Ruth Hejaily; two sons, Michael and Joseph; and one grandchild.

Arrangements were made by Amigone Funeral Home.

If desired, donations may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.