William Keith Booker, a 50-year-old retired Rochester police officer, was a man known for his dedication to his community and his family. His life was tragically cut short on the night of September 25, 2022, in a sudden and violent encounter. In the early hours of that Sunday, Booker was involved in a car crash on Jefferson Avenue. What began as a traffic incident escalated into a fatal shooting, leaving a neighborhood in shock and a city mourning the loss of one of its former protectors.
Having served on the Rochester Police Department for 21 years, from 1996 until his retirement in 2017, Booker had built a legacy of service. He was remembered fondly by colleagues and community members alike, particularly for his nearly decade-long role as a school resource officer at the Franklin campus. Described as a loving man of faith, his death was a profound loss for those who knew him. After his retirement, he dedicated his time to being a stay-at-home father to his young daughter, who was the center of his world.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Rochester Police Department's Major Crimes Unit launched an investigation. While the motive was believed to be connected to the car accident, the individual responsible for firing the fatal shot remained elusive. In the course of their investigation, police did make an arrest. A 64-year-old man named Calvin Watkins was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and grand larceny. However, authorities clarified that Watkins was not a suspect in Booker's murder. He was accused of stealing items from Booker's vehicle and his person as he lay dying.
As the investigation continued, police released photographs of a man they believed was connected to the murder, seeking the public's help in identifying him. A cash reward was offered for any information that would lead to an arrest. Despite these efforts and the pleas from Booker's grieving family, the individual who shot and killed the retired officer has not been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder itself, leaving a painful void for a family and community still seeking justice.
