Bio & Incident Details
Age: 26
Tour: 5 years
Badge # 16465
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 4/19/1977
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Charged with murder
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Officer Robert Mandel was shot and killed by a suspect who was able to gain control of his partner's service weapon.
Officer Mandel and his partner, who were in plain clothes, responded to a call of drug sales inside of 762 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, for drug possession. They arrested one suspect and turned him over to two uniformed officers. They then went outside the location with a second man who told the officers he had information for them. Once outside, the 2nd man was able to gain control of the service weapon of Officer Mandel's partner. He then opened fire, striking Officer Mandel in the face, and his partner in the torso.
Officer Mandel and his partner were taken to Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, where Officer Madel died four days later from his wounds. His partner was able to make a full recovery.
The suspect was arrested later in the day at his home and charged with attempted murder and murder. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He has a parole hearing in December of 2012.
Officer Mendel had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the 77th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit. He is survived by his wife.
