New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, March 3, 1989
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 25539
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 3, 1989
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Robert Machate was shot and killed while checking on an automobile.
Officer Machate and his partner stopped a vehicle that was occupied by two suspicious males. While they were questioning the males, one of the suspects was able to gain control of Officer Machate’s service weapon during a fierce struggle and shot him. The suspect fled but was later apprehended and charged with murder. He was acquitted of murder but convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Escape.
Officer Machate had served with the New York City Police Department for 2 ½ years and was assigned to the Brooklyn South Task Force Anti-Crime Unit. He is survived by his wife, who was six months pregnant at the time of this incident.