New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, February 14, 1999
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: February 14, 1999
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Charged with homicide
Police Officer Matthew Dziergowski was killed after his patrol was struck by another vehicle at the scene of an accident.
He and three other officers had just finished laying out flares at the scene of an overturned tractor trailer. The other officers were outside of their cars when another vehicle approached. Officer Dziergowski saw the vehicle approaching, warned the other officers, and pulled in front of the vehicle to shield them. His patrol was struck on the driver's side and pushed into a guardrail.
He was flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other three officers on the scene were seriously injured. The suspect was charged with criminally negligent homicide.
Officer Dziergowski had served with the NYPD for 17 years and was assigned to the 123rd Precinct. He is survived by his expectant wife and eight-year-old son.
Officer Dziergowski was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.