Auxiliary Police Officer Nicholas Todd Pekearo

Nicholas Todd Pekearo

Auxiliary Officers Nicholas Pekearo and Yevgeniy Marshalik were shot and killed while following a killer who had just murdered a pizza shop employee in Greenwich Village.

The killer had entered the shop, asked for a menu, and then shot the employee in the back fifteen times after the man turned around.

Auxiliary Officers Pekearo and Marshalik, both of whom were unarmed and on foot patrol in the area of the shooting, heard the description of the assailant that had been transmitted over the radio. They spotted him on the corner of Sullivan and Bleeker Streets. Both officers ordered the killer to drop a bag he was holding. The killer complied, but then punched Officer Marshalik in the face, knocking him to the ground.

The killer fled on foot, with both officers in pursuit. Seeing that capture was imminent, the killer then drew a second firearm, and opened fire on the officers, who were on the opposite side of Sullivan Street. Officer Pekearo took cover behind a parked car, but the killer ran up behind him and shot him six times, killing him. The killer then fled again on foot, where he observed Officer Marshalik attempted to take cover. The killer approached Officer Marshalik and shot him once in the head, killing him.

Responding officers from the 6th Precinct opened fire on the killer, who again fled on foot into a store. He then exited the store and opened fire. He was shot and killed in the ensuing gun battle. The killer was found to be carrying two handguns and over 100 rounds of ammunition.

Auxiliary Officer Pekearo had served with the New York City Police Department - Auxiliary Police Section for four years and was assigned to the 6th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit.