Ex-Employee Pleads In Funeral Home Shooting

Gerard O’Sullivan, 61, of New City, appeared personally in Rockland County Court before the Hon. Kevin Russo and pleaded guilty to all charges stemming from the murder of Noe Hamer.

It happened Feb. 6. outside McGowan’s Funeral Home in Haverstraw.

O'Sullivan, then an employee of TJ McGowan’s Funeral Home, was called into his supervisor’s office. Hamer, his supervisor, informed him that he was being let go.

Later that evening, Hamer left the building and drove to the TJ McGowan’s Funeral Home branch in Haverstraw. As he pulled his car into the back parking lot, O'Sullivan started shooting at him.

Another employee at the funeral home, who had a licensed firearm, shot at O'Sullivan in an attempt to stop him. O'Sullivan then turned and shot at the other employee.

Haverstraw police officers arrived and told O'Sullivan to drop his weapon; however, O'Sullivan pointed the firearm at the officer and refused to drop it. He was restrained and arrested by additional officers.

His sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 22, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh announced.

"With the plea of guilty by Gerard O’Sullivan, we hope that this brings closure to the family of Noe Hamer," Walsh said. "The men and woman of the Haverstraw Police Department worked diligently to bring this case forward and I commend my team, especially Executive Assistant District Attorney Steve Moore, for their efforts in a successful prosecution.”