New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Saturday, July 24, 1971
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 29283
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: July 24, 1971
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Paroled in 2021
Patrolman Robert Denton was stabbed to death by a man for no apparent reason outside a grocery store at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Blake Avenue, in Brooklyn, at approximately 2:15 am.
Several minutes before the stabbing, the suspect had stopped Patrolman Denton and his partner and asked them how to become a policeman. After answering the question, Patrolman Denton and his partner entered a store. After several minutes, Patrolman Denton exited the store when he was approached by the subject, who pulled a 13-inch knife from a pocket and stabbed Patrolman Denton twice in the neck. The man was apprehended by a group of bystanders.
On June 13th, 1972, the suspect, 20, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced from 25 years to life in prison. He was paroled on January 19, 2021.
Patrolman Denton was a United States Army veteran who served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct. He was survived by his wife.