State Police release cause of deaths for Rochester 911 center employee and RPD officer

Jim Tortora

[anvplayer video=”5095907″ station=”998131″]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A woman and a Rochester Police Officer are dead. The New York State Police’s investigation includes a scene at a Wetmore Park home in Rochester and the Veterans Memorial Park in Henrietta.

The deceased are Janet S. Jordan, 35 of Rochester and Melvin A. Williams, 43 of Henrietta, troopers confirm. Tuesday afternoon, police said Jordan died from a gunshot wound and Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Troopers say it all started just before 8 a.m. Monday when police were called to a home on Wetmore Park off Lyell Avenue in Rochester for a report of a woman not breathing.

It then escalated to a possible homicide investigation with Williams, a Rochester Police Sergeant, as a person of interest.

The City of Rochester municipal workers’ union, which Jordan was a member of, released a statement expressing their grief.

"There are no words to express our shock and sadness as we’ve learned that Janet Jordan, a dear friend to all and fellow Rochester 911 co-worker, was taken from us far too soon," said the statement from the union’s president, Mike Rivera. "We will now hold each other a little tighter, say I love you a little more, and remember her kindness and wonderful spirit."

News10NBC crews found troopers investigating at Veterans Memorial Park in Henrietta. Troopers searched the ankle-deep water at the park using a metal detector but found nothing. Troopers ended up finding Williams inside his vehicle in the parking lot, deceased.

City officials confirm Jordan was an employee of the City of Rochester Emergency Communications at the 911 center. Rochester Police Department Officials say Williams has served since July of 2007.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said at an unrelated event Monday that, “it’s important for state police to get involved because anytime you have something involving the City of Rochester or the RPD it’s important to have an independent 3rd party and that’s why State Police are involved.”

News10NBC crews went to what property records show was Williams’s home on Wildherd Drive in Henrietta and saw State Police and the Humane Society of Greater Rochester there, as well as people who were visibly upset, but who declined to talk to us.

Evans said grief counselors and mental health services will be made available to city employees and sent the statement below after Jordan’s identity was released:

"I thank our partners in State and County law enforcement for their support this morning in the investigation into the homicide of a valued City employee.

"Janet S. Jordan was a Telecommunicator in the City’s Emergency Communications Department with more than 11 years of service. She was also an instructor in the City’s Pathways to Public Safety Program, and a beloved and respected colleague.

"The person of interest in this case, Melvin A. Williams, was a Sergeant in the Rochester Police Department with 14 years of service.

"I offer my sincere condolences to all of those impacted by this tragic situation. I have made grief counselors and mental health services available to all City employees."

Troopers say this is still an active investigation.

News10NBC will report any updates as they come.