Bio & Incident Details
Age: 49
Tour: 18 years
Badge # 15403
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 12/28/1978
Weapon: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect: Sentenced to life in prison
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Officer David Guttenberg was shot and killed when he walked into a robbery in progress.
Officer Guttenberg entered an auto body shop near the corner of 86th Street and Seventh Avenue to check on a double-parked vehicle. Unknown to the officer there was a man inside the location robbing the shop. When Officer Guttenberg entered he was shot and killed. The suspect then fled the location in the double parked car. A look-out who was standing near the double parked car fled on foot when he heard the shots.
Officer Guttenberg’s partner, who was sitting in the parked patrol car, was unaware of what had happened until the storeowner ran out of the store when the suspects fled. He was unable to apprehend either suspect, as they had already fled in the vehicle.
Both suspects were apprehended and convicted of murder. They were both sentenced to life in prison. Torres died in prison, and Costello is currently serving a life sentence.
Officer Guttenberg had served with the agency for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and four children. He was assigned to the 68th Precinct.
