Patrolman Robert L. Denton

Robert 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 prior to the stabbing the suspect had stopped Patrolman Denton and his partner and asked them how to become a policeman. Patrolman Denton had just made a purchase inside the store and had just stepped outside when the man pulled a 13-inch knife from and stabbed him twice in the neck.

The man was apprehended by a group of bystanders.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 13th, 1972. He has a parole hearing in May, 2018.

Patrolman Denton was assigned to the 73rd Precinct. He was survived by his wife.