New York City Transit Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, February 24, 1980
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 3123
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 24, 1980
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Police Officer Seraphin Calabrese was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to arrest a fare evader at the Columbus Circle subway station.
The fare was only 50 cents. The suspect immediately grabbed Officer Calabrese's gun and shot him. Another nearby transit officer apprehended the suspect.
On January 20. 1981, the suspect, 29, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. He died in prison on December 24, 2021.
Officer Irving Smith was shot and killed five days later while attempting to take action during a robbery of a bar. He and several other officers went to the bar following the funeral of Officer Calabrese.
Officer Calabrese was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New York City Transit Police Department, assigned to Transit District 1. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and stepdaughter.