New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, November 4, 1966
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 9 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 21704
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: November 4, 1966
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Anthony Campisi was stabbed to death during an investigation into prostitution and narcotics.
He was attempting to arrest a prostitute inside the Hotel Saint Clair on West 38th Street. The prostitute screamed, and a man approached and stabbed Patrolman Campisi. Both the prostitute and the subject were taken into custody a few hours later and charged with Patrolman Campisi's murder.
Several months prior to the murder of Patrolman Campisi, the subject had been released from prison in Florida where he served five years for a robbery and assault. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on April 10, 1968. He was released from prison on December 28, 1998. The prostitute was acquitted.
Patrolman Campisi had served with the New York City Police Department for 9-1/2 years and was assigned to the 1st Division. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and sister. He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.