New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Thursday, July 26, 1923
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 26, 1923
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Patrolman Romanella and Patrolman Charles Reynolds were shot and killed after arresting several men in a taxicab.
The patrolmen were driving on the Queensborough Bridge when they heard a woman screaming in a taxicab for help. The officers stopped the cab a short distance away and placed the occupants in custody. The officers then ordered the driver to drive to the 81st Precinct station as they rode on the outside of the cab. As the cab neared 64th Street and 2nd Avenue, one of the occupants opened fire on them, killing them both.
Patrolman Romanella was assigned to the 29th Precinct, the present-day 17th Precinct. He was survived by his wife.