Sherman Lee Scott

Sherman Lee Scott was born on February 22, 1952, to the late James and Pauline Scott, in Rochester NY, quietly passed away on February 19, 2026, after a massive stroke, his loving wife, brothers, friend, stepdaughter and other relatives were with him on his journey.

He possessed a brilliant mind, disarming wit, and an empathetic heart. He had a rare gift of building community wherever he found himself, Sherman was a sweet compassionate person, honest with strong moral principles, a man of full body mind and integrity. He was quiet, he was very serious and didn't like a lot of play and foolishness, but if you needed him, he was there.

Sherman graduated from Oswego State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to pursue a career at Eastman Kodak Company; he resigned after two years. And went to pursue his career as a Rochester Police Officer, there he excels into several different Departments, promoted to Police Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, Sherman was the first officer to receive a perfect score on his Civil Service Examination, not just once but twice. Within the department, he rose to the rank of Captain, a position that oversees entire sections of the city or specialized units, requiring a balance of operational command and community diplomacy.

Sherman retired as Captain from the Rochester Police Department on February 25, 2011, where he served for 36 years and was a notable figure in community relations. He was defined by his expertise in high-stakes communication and his commitment to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the Rochester community. In community forums and annual reports, he is consistently highlighted for his "unbiased posture" and integrity, traits that define his personal approach to community relations.

He has shown a personal passion for preserving the legacy of Black law enforcement officers. His insights into the lives of historical figures like Charles Price suggest he values mentorship and the heritage of service within the African American community in Rochester.

He has been a vocal advocate for preserving the history of African American officers in Rochester. He frequently provided testimony and historical context regarding the pioneering career of Charles Price, the first Black officer to walk a beat in the RPD. During his active service in the late 1990s, he served as a spokesperson for the department during high-stakes incidents, such as crisis negotiations.

Captain Scott was a lead negotiator for the RPD's Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team. In this role, he was the primary spokesperson during volatile standoffs, such as a major 1998 incident on Scio Street where he managed public information and tactical communication to ensure a peaceful resolution.

His personal reputation is often described as that of a diplomat. Those who worked with him on the Civilian Review Board frequently characterized him as a person with a calm, analytical demeanor, which mirrored his professional skills as a hostage negotiator.

Civilian Review Board. His role involved: Evaluating complaints against police officers to ensure fair investigations. Training new recruits on citizens' rights and responsibilities to foster mutual respect from the start of an officer's career. He also was a member of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

After his active-duty retirement, he transitioned into civilian oversight and mediation. He worked extensively with the Center for Dispute Settlement, where he played a significant role in facilitating trust between the police and the community, he was involved in the Civilian Review Board, contributing to efforts for police transparency and accountability.

Sherman loves spending time with his family. He was passionate about Jazz, traveling, and loved going on cruises with his wife. Income tax, playing golf, Sherman versatility and eclecticism allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life, culture and social classes.

He loved the Lord, had Faith, beliefs and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Sherman is survived by his loving wife, Sonia; son, Daryl (Ashley) Scott; stepdaughter, Venester (Maurice) Perry; four grandchildren, Amir and Sy'ir Perry, Raven and Violet Scott all of Atlanta; brothers, James (Patricia) Scott, of Missouri, TX, Nathaniel (Cathy) Scott of Elgin, SC and Gary (Wendy) Scott of Washington State; sister, Teresa Scott of West Virginia; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, best friend; Herbert Brown and extended family members who will forever cherish his memory. Sherman was predeceased by his parents, James and Pauline Scott; brothers, Sam, Jerold and Stephen Scott; sister, Cassandra Hendricks and stepson, Fitzroy B. Vines Jr.