Archives
Obituaries
Leon Klimeczko, university police officer
Leon M. Klimeczko, a university police officer for 18 years, died yesterday while on duty on the South Campus. He was 52.
John Grela, director of public safety, said yesterday that while the cause of death had not yet been officially determined, it is believed Klimeczko may have suffered a heart attack.
"He was a compassionate, hard-working officer who made himself available to help everyone—not only the people he served, but his fellow officers as well," said Grela.
A resident of Niagara Falls, Klimeczko graduated from LaSalle Senior High School in 1971. He received an associate's degree from Niagara County Community College in 1973 and a bachelor's degree from UB in 1975.
After graduating from UB, he worked as a utility operator at Airco Carbon in Niagara Falls and as a lunch aide in the Niagara Falls schools.
He joined the UB Department of Public Safety as a university police officer in 1988, and graduated from the University Police Training Academy in Albany.
Grela said Klimeczko received a commendation in 2005 for trying to save the life of a UB Facilities staff member who had suffered a heart attack. "He went above and beyond what's necessary to try to bring somebody back," Grela said. "He distinguished himself through his effort and commitment to providing life-saving treatment."
Visiting hours will be from 4-8 p.m. tomorrow at Zajac Funeral Home, 319 24th St., Niagara Falls. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, East Falls St., Niagara Falls.