Lieutenant Jan Brinkers

Lieutenant Jan Brinkers

New York City Housing Authority Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, May 4, 1981

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Jan Brinkers

Lieutenant Jan Brinkers was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three suspects robbing a tavern at 2639 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.

Lieutenant Brinkers, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, was inside a tavern on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx when three men entered the bar and announced a robbery. Lieutenant Brinkers drew his weapon and identified himself as a Police Officer. One of the suspects opened fire, striking him in the chest. Lieutenant Brinkers was able to fire six shots at the suspects as they fled. It was believed he hit one in the leg. Lieutenant Brinkers was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his wounds.

Two suspects, 28 and 36, were apprehended 11 days later in the Bronx after police received a telephone tip from a woman. Another, 27, was apprehended two weeks later when he sought medical attention for a bullet in his leg at a hospital. He was determined to be the killer. All three were charged with murder. All three were refugees who came from Cuba during the "Mariel Boat Lift" from April 15, 1980, until October 31, 1980.

The suspect, 36, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on February 28, 2018. The 28-year-old suspect, also sentenced to life, died in prison on July 9, 1985. Lieutenant Brinkers' killer was convicted of his murder and paroled on January 6, 2020.

Lieutenant Brinkers was a United States Army Reserve veteran who had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 15 years and was assigned to Police Service 8. He is survived by his wife.

Bio

  • Age 42
  • Tour 15 years
  • Badge None
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Paroled in 2020

arrest attempt, robbery

Most Recent Reflection

View all 23 Reflections

I can remember when I first met Sergeant Jan Brinkers. His shield number was 586 of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department. He was the Sergeant assigned to Williamsburg Housing Projects. He was extremely friendly with all of the tenants who lived in the Projects.
I remember him and Police Officers Richard Ott, McNeil, McClane, rane, Captain John Falon who was the Command Captain of the BROOKLYN RICHMOND HOUSING AUTHORITY POLICE COMMAND.
I remember when he was promoted to Lieutenant.
Of course back then I was just a kid. However our PROJECT threw him a Party in recognition for his valuable service to our community in the Ten Eyck Walk COMMUNITY CENTER. It was because of him I decided to join the UNITED STATES NAVY
I Think that it was a great mistake for Mayor Guiliani to COMPLETELY DISBAND THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MERGE THEM INTO THE NYPD.
Housing Police were unique because they were COMMUNITY ORIENTED and knew everyone who lived in the Projects and surrounding areas by their names.
I still remember that night when Jan Brinkers was killed.
May he REST IN PERPETUAL PEACE.
Signal 10-13 Police Officer shot what UNITS are responding K....

GEORGE MILLER
UNITED STATES NAVY RETIRED

June 16, 2021

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