New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Saturday, July 24, 1971
Add to My HeroesRobert L. Denton
Patrolman Robert Denton was stabbed to death by a man for no apparent reason outside a grocery store at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Blake Avenue, in Brooklyn, at approximately 2:15 am.
Several minutes before the stabbing, the suspect had stopped Patrolman Denton and his partner and asked them how to become a policeman. After answering the question, Patrolman Denton and his partner entered a store. After several minutes, Patrolman Denton exited the store when he was approached by the subject, who pulled a 13-inch knife from a pocket and stabbed Patrolman Denton twice in the neck. The man was apprehended by a group of bystanders.
On June 13th, 1972, the suspect, 20, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced from 25 years to life in prison. He was paroled on January 19, 2021.
Patrolman Denton was a United States Army veteran who served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 2 years
- Badge 29283
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Paroled in 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 21 ReflectionsAs I read about this officer's life cut short by a mad man with a knife while doing this job to protect the people of New York. It's a sad reminder of the dangers these men and women face every day when they
put on the uniform and go out the door. The public will never know the true dangers of the job they face and the personal risk they take every day to keep us all safe from harm.
PO Morelli
Housing PD
July 25, 2022
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