New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Thursday, October 2, 1969
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 20563
Cause of Death: Exposure to toxins
Date of Incident: October 2, 1969
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Salvatore Spinola died after being overcome by gas fumes from a manhole while attempting to rescue a trapped civilian.
At approximately 9:20 am Patrolman Spinola and his partner responded to a call of an unconscious man inside a manhole at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Troy Avenue in Brooklyn. When Patrolman Spinola and his partner arrived, they found a civilian trapped in a 10-foot deep manhole. Patrolman Spinola put on gas mask and entered the manhole, but the mask was ineffective and he was overcome by the fumes.
Patrolman Spinola had served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years and was assigned to Emergency Services Unit Eight. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.