South Bend Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Add to My HeroesNick Samuel Polizzotto
Corporal Nick Polizzotto was shot and killed while investigating a report of shots being fired at 1:37 am near an unoccupied nightclub in the 1700 block of Lincoln Way East.
He and another officer arrived on the scene and were directed by witnesses to the suspect's room at the Wooden Indian Motel at 1631 Lincoln Way East. As they attempted to question the suspect at his door, the man shot at both officers, who returned fire. Corporal Polizzotto was killed in the exchange and the other officer was wounded. The suspect was killed by the officers.
Corporal Polizzotto had served with the South Bend Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his 8-year-old son, brother, sister, and parents.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 9 years
- Badge 2024
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 636 ReflectionsNick was good friends with my wife since high school. My in-laws were always talking about this “Nick guy” and after hearing his name so much I was getting jealous. I thought maybe my wife should of married this Nick guy instead of me if he is so great.
Then I was hired at the police department in the same group as Nick. I remember we were in the squad room with the group hired on together doing some rookie stuff with training. Training Officer Dave Hecklinski called out “Polizzotto” so I turned around to finally see who this famous “Nick” was. I remember looking at him and saying “so your the Nick my in-laws can’t stop talking about.” Nick gave a confused but kind smile and our friendship started that moment. We fished, took fishing trips and hung out making a lot of good memories. I ate Nicks famous spaghetti sauce and lots of Degerno frozen pizzas (Nicks favorite until he got sick from one)
Nick was on midnights and I was on afternoons and for different reasons we grew distant for awhile. But months before Nick was murdered we started renewing our friendship and hanging out again.
I think of Nick so often and miss him terribly. He was one of the best friends I will ever have. Nick was human and not perfect but he was loving, kind , funny and had a huge heart. My wife said in high school he talked about becoming a priest at one point. As I sit here and type this I look up at a King Salmon Nick caught with me on a fishing trip. His first one and a trophy he decided to have mounted. Little did I know one day it would hang in my house because Nick would be so prematurely taken from this world. But I smile remembering how happy he was after landing such a trophy fish.
I’ll never stop missing Nick...I’m so glad for the times we had.
Pfc Chris Krueger
South Bend Police
April 24, 2020
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