Patrolman Michael W. Paolillo

Michael W. Paolillo

Patrolman Michael Paolillo was stabbed to death when he attempted to question a suspect at 3040 Cruger Avenue.

Patrolman Paolillo was off-duty and talking with a friend inside a gun shop around 11:15 a.m. when a man entered and asked if he could have the grips on the gun adjusted. The store owner told him he could repair the gun, so the suspect took the .25-caliber revolver from a paper bag and gave it to the owner. As soon as the owner asked for identification, the subject took the gun back and left the store. Suspicious that the man did not have a license for the gun, Patrolman Paolillo followed the man out of the store and began to question him. While he was being questioned, the subject pulled out a knife and stabbed Patrolman Paolillo 17 times in the chest. The subject then stole Patrolman Paolillo's service weapon and fled from the location.

On August 19, 1971, a suspect, 24, was arrested in the Bronx and charged with murder. On December 1, 1972, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He died in prison on August 7, 2014.

Patrolman Paolillo had served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 42nd Precinct. He was survived by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.