New York State Police, New York
End of Watch: Saturday, June 24, 1978
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: June 24, 1978
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Convicted of negligent homicide
Zone Sergeant Gerald DeGroot was killed when his Troop Car was stuck head on by a vehicle being operated by an 18-year-old intoxicated driver going the wrong way on Leray Street in Watertown. The subject was seriously injured.
The suspect was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide.
The officer had been a member of the New York State Police for 19 years.