Clay resident Wayne Galutz, who retired from the Cicero Police Department last November, passed away Oct. 7 at age 47 after a battle with cancer. A former Army paratrooper, Galutz had spent 19 years as a Cicero police officer.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Galutz served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army during “Operation Just Cause,” the 1989 invasion of Panama
Before coming to the Cicero department, Galutz worked for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.
Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell Galutz was a good police officer who grew up in the community he served. “He was very compassionate about his job and how he handled it,” Snell said. “The whole time I knew Wayne, I never heard him say a negative word about anybody.”
On top of his duties as a police officer, Galutz volunteered for several local organizations, including North Area Meals on Wheels and the Recreation Therapy department of the Syracuse VA Medical Center.
Snell said he enjoyed having “philosophical discussions” with Galutz in Snell’s office, which included topics ranging from wine to politics to everything in between.
“When he retired because of his illness — you miss those things,” Snell said.
“It’s a loss to the community, and all the members of the department miss him,” he added. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and his daughter.”
In addition to his wife, Lori Dunham Galutz, and daughter, Alaina Galutz, Wayne Galutz leaves behind stepdaughter Kayleigh McCarthy, brothers Christopher (Cynthia) Galutz and Gregory D. (Angela) Galutz; a niece, Gabriella Galutz, and a nephew, Gregory G. Galutz.
Calling hours were held Oct. 9 and services were held Oct. 10 at Fergerson Funeral Home. Galutz was buried with military honors at Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse.
Those who would like to make a donation in Wayne Galutz’s memory are encouraged to donate to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 7, East Syracuse, New York 13057-0007) or the Wounded Warriors Project (PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517).
