Patrolman William Baumfeld

William Baumfeld

Patrolman Bill Baumfeld was shot and killed as he attempted to stop a robbery in a hotel at 4:30 am.

Patrolman Baumfield and his partner went off duty after making an arrest earlier in the evening. The two patrolmen were to appear in court early the next morning, so they went to the Congress Hotel on West 69th Street for a few hours of sleep. The patrolman got rooms on the first floor, near the check-in counter. As they slept, two youths armed with handguns entered the hotel and robbed one of the workers. The boys then came to the room where Patrolman Baumfeld was sleeping and attempted to rob him. Patrolman Baumfeld was killed as he tried to stop the robbery and apprehend the suspect.

Both suspects, 17 and 20, were arrested. The 17-year-old admitted that he shot Patrolman Baumfeld. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to life, and paroled on July 22, 1982. The other suspect, convicted of murder and sentenced to life, was paroled on May 15, 1985.

Patrolman Baumfeld was a Korean War veteran and had served with the New York City Police Department for six years, assigned to the 4th Division. He was survived by his parents and brother.