New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 11, 1937
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 1461
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 23, 1936
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Astel succumbed to gunshot wounds received eight months earlier when he interrupted a robbery in a store.
Detective Astel, who was a Patrolman at the time of the incident, walked into a store that was being robbed at gunpoint. The suspects fired at Detective Astel, who returned fire and killed one of the three suspects. Detective Astel was severely wounded int eh exchange of gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital where he remained until his death.
While in the hospital he received the NYPD Combat Cross and was promoted to Detective 3rd Grade.
The two suspects escaped but were apprehended and plead guilty to second-degree murder. One was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, and the other was sentenced to 6 to 25 years in prison.
Detective Astel had served with the New York City Police Department for eight years and was assigned to the 25th Precinct's MODD Squad. His wife and child survived him.