New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Saturday, November 11, 1989
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 16633
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: November 11, 1989
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Police Officer Gary Coe was stabbed to death by a subject who had just been involved in a motor vehicle accident with him.
Officer Coe was with his girlfriend when his car struck the back of a motorcycle. Officer Coe identified himself as a police officer after the man approached them and began yelling.
The suspect then shoved Officer Coe and stabbed him three times in the chest and twice in the leg with a four-inch utility knife. The suspect also assaulted Officer Coe's girlfriend, slashing her across the hand when she tried to intervene.
Officer Coe was taken to Lutheran Medical Center where he died one hour later.
The suspect, who said he attacked Officer Coe because he was afraid he was going to shoot hm, was tried and acquitted.
Officer Coe had served with the New York City Police Department for four years. He was assigned to the Brooklyn South Task Force.