Bio & Incident Details
Age: 50
Tour: 21 years
Badge # 2500
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 1/8/2004
Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect: Sentenced to death
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Lieutenant Sidney Zaffuto was shot and killed during a bank robbery while moonlighting as a security guard.
Three suspects entered the bank and immediately disarmed Lieutenant Zaffuto while holding him at gunpoint. A second deputy, who was in the rear of the bank, observed what was occurring and confronted the suspects. A shootout ensued and Lieutenant Zaffuto was shot in the chest, and the second deputy was struck in the leg.
Two of the suspects were also wounded and the three fled the scene. A plainclothes detective who observed the suspects escaping, called for backup and he and responding officers took two of the suspects into custody. Two U.S. Coast Guard petty officers, who were armed while transporting ammunition through the area, took the third suspect into custody.
The suspect who shot Lieutenant Zaffuto was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death May 27, 2009. In April of 2009 the second suspect died in jail. The third suspect is to be tried in 2012.
Lieutenant Zaffuto had served the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office for a total of 21 years. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
He is survived by his wife, son, two step-children, and two grandchildren.
