Patrolman Walter Oliver DeCastillia

Walter Oliver DeCastillia

Patrolman Walter DeCastillia was shot and killed during a payroll robbery in progress at a shoe factory on 35 York Street in Brooklyn.

Patrolman DeCastilla was killed by one of four robbers who escaped. His killer was later arrested but released due to insufficient evidence. One hour after he was released, the factory payroll clerk positively identified him as the killer, but he was never re-arrested.

Several weeks later, the suspect, the notorious mobster, shot another policeman and a 6-year-old little girl during another robbery. The suspect spent the remainder of the 1930s in prison. He was later released from prison and was killed by rival mobsters in 1979.

Patrolman DeCastillia was assigned to the 84th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and son.