Bio & Incident Details
Age: 36
Tour: 12 years
Badge # 26481
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 8/17/1979
Weapon: Handgun; .380 caliber
Suspect: Apprehended
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Officer Thomas Schimenti was shot and killed following a foot chase with a bank robbery suspect.
Officer Schimenti was walking his beat when he was flagged down by a woman who told him that a man in a gorilla mask was robbing a bank at 100 Park Avenue. As Officer Schimenti turned toward the bank, he observed the suspect exit and begin to flee North on Park Avenue on foot. Officer Schimenti began to chase the suspect, and radioed for assistance. As Officer Schimenti was chasing the suspect, two Detectives who were in the area observed the chase and joined in.
They chased the suspect to the front of Grand Central Terminal where the suspect turned and opened fire. Officer Schimenti was stuck and killed and one of the Detective was wounded. The suspect was wounded once and fled. He was apprehended by the second Detective after that Detective found the suspect hiding under a car just a block away.
Officer Schimenti had served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Midtown South Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two children.
On August 17, 1988, a popular street corner on Staten Island was renamed in Officer Schimenti's honor.
