Patrolman Robert L. Denton, New York City Police Department, New York

Patrolman Robert L. Denton

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Saturday, July 24, 1971

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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 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

ambush

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Bobby & I grew up together in Levittown NY. Very close, brother I never had. Called each other’s mother & father, mom & dad. We both attended Abbey Lane Elementary School as well as Levittown Memorial HS where he played football & was a wrestler as well as a runner on the track team. Bobby talked me into taking the NYPD test in 1968. We traveled to the Bronx to take the testBothus & joined the NYPD in 1969. Bobby was assigned to the 73rd Pct & I to the 13th.
Bobby was married to the love of his wife Kathy only 1 year when she was awakened at 2:30 in the morning on that dreadful day, July 24, 1971. 50 years later I addressedthe Community Board & asked to name a street after in honor of Bobby & was denied as they said to me “why don’t you name a street where he comes from”.
I then arranged a HUGE ceremony @ the 73rd Pct on what was the 50th anniversary.
of his death.
1 year later Abby Lane in Levittown was named after Bobby, the sign is displayed on the corner of Reid & Abby lane, one house away from the home he grew upon in.
Thank you
County Executive Bruce Blakeman
for making it happen.
God Bless Police Officer Robert Lee Denton
TEST IN PEACE BROTHER

Ron Bellistri
NYPD

June 5, 2025