Paterson Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 23, 2001
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 23, 2001
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Sergeant Rick Venditte was shot and killed while checking on a rental property he owned in his patrol district at 224-226 Clinton Street.
During a short break on his shift, he went to check on a tenant he had twice tried to evict. As he was standing in the apartment, the tenant ambushed him, shooting him twice with a shotgun. Sergeant Venditte, who was in his police uniform, did not have time to draw his weapon. The suspect then committed suicide.
Sergeant Venditte had not marked out at the location and after he failed to check in, a search was undertaken. His body was found after several hours.
Sergeant Venditte had served with the Paterson Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, his young daughter, and a young son.