New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, March 31, 2002
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 3738
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: March 31, 2002
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 17 years to life
Detective Jaime Betancourt was stabbed to death while off-duty when he attempted to stop his girlfriend's crazed ex-boyfriend from entering her house.
When Detective Betancourt's girlfriend refused to let the suspect enter, the suspect pulled a knife and stabbed Detective Betancourt as he tried to arrest the suspect. The suspect fled but was later apprehended in Miami, Florida, and charged with murder. He was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison. He was deported in 2020.
The New York City Police Department considered Detective Betancourt to be acting in the line of duty when he was murdered.
Detective Betancourt had served with the New York City Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his four-year-old son.