Michael Leach, of Rochester, was staying at the Clark Beach Motel in Old Forge, Wyoming County.
The 59-year-old and his son were part of a group of police officers who had driven to the area on motorcycles for a long-weekend getaway.
‘It was just a group of guys coming to have a good time,’ motel owner Dan Rivet Jr told uticaod.com.
‘We have very little violence in Old Forge.’
Leach was disturbed by someone coming into his room shortly after midnight.
Believing the disturbance to be an intruder Leach grabbed his police department-issued .45-caliber Glock handgun and opened fire.
After realising his error the 59-year-old called 911 and reported the shooting.
37-year-old Matthew Leach was pronounced dead at St Elizabeth’s Hospital and his father was taken to St Luke’s Hospital for mental support.
“Old Forge, Wyoming County”
Old Forge is in the Adirondacks.
Wyoming County is between Rochester and Buffalo.