Village of Gowanda Police Department

12/11/2025

Winter Parking Reminder:

Winter parking ban goes into effect Nov 1st-April 1st each year.

There is no parking on public streets from 12am-7am.

We need to keep the streets clear for the snowplow drivers to remove snow safely and quickly.

Per Village ordinance:

The Department of Public Works may call to have vehicles towed that are in violation of this parking ban at the vehicle owners expense.

Please adhere to these ordinances and help keep our streets clean and safe for all drivers!

10/10/2025

With Heavy Hearts, We Share the Loss of Officer Mark Ondus

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Officer Mark Ondus of the Gowanda Police Department. Officer Ondus was dedicated to protecting and serving our community with courage, honor, and kindness.

His commitment to justice and safety touched countless lives. Officer Ondus was not only a brave protector but also a friend, mentor, and beloved member of our department.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Officer Ondus family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. We stand together in mourning and gratitude for their service.

You will forever be in our hearts.

Rest easy, Officer Ondus.
We have the watch from here.

End of Watch: 10/9/25

🖤💙🖤

Mark A. Ondus
GOWANDA

Trooper Mark A. Ondus ,age 56 ,ended his earthly watch Thursday October 9, 2025 surrounded by family.

Mark was born May 6, 1969 in Gowanda, NY one of three sons born to John H.and Carol L. (Kurz) Ondus.

A 1987 graduate of Gowanda Central School, Mark attended the NYS Police Academy and started his career in Law Enforcement in 1994. His dedication and sacrifice to the NYS Troopers as his line-of-duty passing is from an illness related to his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These attacks had a profound impact on many first responders years later and many families are feeling the ultimate sacrifice there loved one’s are to this day still experiencing. His commitment to justice and safety touched countless lives ,Officer Ondus was not only a brave protector but also a friend, mentor and a beloved member of the Gowanda Police Dept. along with working as an SRO in North Collins . Mark was a loving son , brother, husband , father , grandfather, uncle, colleague and friend. He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife; Tamara (Cross) Ondus, children; Charles Ondus, Sebastian (Kayla) Luther, Nikolas Ondus and Tauni Ondus. Grandchildren; Everleigh and Sophia Luther also survive as does his brother John “Jay” (Paula) Ondus, nieces, nephews and Lauritz (Ida) Predelli an AFS exchange student from Denmark that the family opened their home to. Mark’s German Shepherd Diesel is feeling his loss also as does Tammy’s mom Linda Cross and Tammy’s siblings.

Mark was preceded in death by his father; John Ondus (2001), his mother;Carol Ondus (2011), brother; Scott Ondus (2019) ,nephew;Jordan Ondus( 2011) and father in-law;Wayne Cross (2012).

Friends may call Tuesday October 14, 2025 from 3:00-7:00 pm at the Revive Wesleyan Church @ South Creek 2063 South Creek Rd. Eden, NY 14057. An in-line-of-duty service with NYS law enforcement participation will be held Wednesday October 15, 2025 @ 11:00am (please assemble at church). Pastor David Gable will Officiate. Interment in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Gowanda, NY.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Buffalo 225 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga, NY 14227.

Arrangements are by the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda.

07/02/2025

Traffic Alert: Road Closure Rt 62(Sandhill)

Weather permitting, work will be done the week of July 7th. Painting of the RR viaduct.

Sand Hill Rd (Rt 62 and 39) will be closed beginning on Monday July 7th around 8 AM, through Thursday July 10th. Local traffic only during these days. A copy of the detour route is listed below.

06/12/2025

Traffic Alert:

Today, multiple local emergency service agencies will be es**rting the Gowanda High School Varsity baseball team through the village, as they head off to Binghamton for the state tournament!! We will es**rt them down Main Street through town, leaving the high school at approximately 4pm. Let's wear some Panther blue and line the streets to support our Varsity Panthers on their journey through the state tournament!

Village of Gowanda PD is Panther Proud and congratulation these young men and families on a great accomplishment!!!

Great Job Panthers!!!
Good Luck!

06/05/2025

On 6/4/25 CAO Gowanda Head Start visited the village hall for tour of the police department and patrol vehicles. They learned about emergency services provided around our area including patrol cars, fire trucks, ambulances and even a Police Motorcycle!
Thank you CAO Gowanda Head Start for the opportunity!

Thank you to the Village of Gowanda PD, Gowanda Fire Department, Gowanda Ambulance and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for the great experience!

02/18/2025

On 2/12/25, Zachary S. Pierce, 29, of Gowanda N.Y. was arrested for Robbery in the 3rd Degree, Petit Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, and Menacing in the 3rd Degree, the charges stem from an investigation at a Village if Gowanda business. The investigation was conducted by the Gowanda Police Department, the Southern Tier Drug Taskforce, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office. The Southern Tier Drug Taskforce is comprised of members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, Salamanca Police Department, and Olean Police Department. Pierce was arraigned then released per NYS Bail Reform Laws to appear in court on a later date.

11/05/2024

Eric Butler has been overwhelmingly supportive of the Gowanda community during his career and still is to this day when we need it the most. The least I can do is retrain myself on how to operate Facebook prior to the upcoming election. This is not me playing the political game, it’s just me supporting someone who has and continues to support us, it’s truly the least I could do.

01/27/2023

Hello!
*Residents* Just a friendly reminder regarding winter parking…IT IS ILLEGAL TO PARK ON VILLAGE STREETS FROM NOVEMBER 1st-APRIL 1st from 12am-7am, this is not just the cops being curmudgeonly about pesky parking laws, this is about our DPW not being able to properly plow our streets…we do use a lot of discretion when it comes to issuing parking tickets as we’re not looking to nickel and dime the public…however, we will be forced to issue tickets when parking becomes detrimental to public safety, Thank you! If you are broke down or have some sort of exigent circumstances please contact us and we will attempt to work with you, Thank You for your cooperation and be safe!

11/08/2022

Awful…, please, anyone with any information contact Police or our DCO

06/28/2022

Mayor and the Police Chief calculated a strategy based on their experience with kids.