SONYEA, N.Y. — Correctional Officer David Hilburger was known as “Gandhi” by those who worked alongside him — a quiet, steady presence who brought calm to difficult situations.
On April 9, the 53-year-old corrections officer was found dead inside state housing at Groveland Correctional Facility after he failed to report for duty following his regular days off, WGRZ reports. A wellness check was conducted, and he was discovered in his room. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) said there is no indication of foul play, and the official cause of death is under review by the county medical examiner.
Outside a Western New York funeral home, 500 American flags lined the lawn, one for each life touched by Hilburger’s. The tribute was organized by those who knew him not just as a coworker, but as a brother and a friend.
“He was quiet, but he was funny,” his sister, Kim Hilburger, told WGRZ. “He was really the nicest person I ever met.”
John Renzo, a longtime friend, said Hilburger was always there when it mattered most.
“I know a number of times when I needed something, he was the first guy I called,” Renzo told WGRZ. “He made himself available. He was fun to be around — and everybody wanted to be around him.”
Hilburger’s sister told WIVB that he had been feeling ill in the days leading up to his death, but out of fear of retaliation from within the facility, he chose not to seek medical attention. The family believes more should be done to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death and to address the conditions officers face behind the walls.
In a statement, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) called Hilburger’s passing “tragic” and said they will continue to monitor the ongoing investigation.
“[Officer Hilburger] was a valued member of the union and the community he served,” the statement read. “His sudden death at Groveland Correctional Facility is tragic, and NYSCOPBA will continue to monitor the ongoing investigation surrounding the circumstances of his untimely death.”
