Patrolman Gerald T. DiJoseph

I will never forget driving backup car requested by partners who trailed a suspicious vehicle and discovered it was stolen with 2 males as dawn was breaking in the West Village’s 6th precinct. The pursuit began a block out of the precinct into the 10 pct. The perps drove west on sidewalk as pedestrians scattered to avoid getting hit. When I tried to box the perps in little did I know I was less than a yard from a suspect in 2 murders one being PO DiJoseph who was armed a loaded gun. The chase ended at west side highway. The driver was fished out of the river. The other tossed his weapon into road and was tackled and cuffed by a very fit athletic partner. I transported the suspect into station house muster room and said sit where you want and he sat in front of a wanted poster which turned out to be him. As I whispered that looks a little like my partner screamed that’s him that’s him. Minutes later we were in the detective squad room. Before I could finish my call to Daily News city desk about the arrest the seargant screamed Fandal get off the phone. The incident made the next day’s papers.
Years later I wondered what happened to the case which drew a reply from DiJoseph’s niece on Facebook and I was disheartened to learn that his accused killer was acquitted.
For myself I was spared in the chase.
As NYC and cops nationwide grieve for murdered and beloved Jonathan Diller by career criminal in a car check I offer prayers for all good people affected by the pervasive evil.
I’ve got to see many children left behind at December Christmas parties up close. My role as a clown was to bring laughters and smiles to scarred. My first time was the day John Lennon was killed earlier in the day. I bottled my tears but be assured millions weep for our murdered heroes and families and only way for murders to subside is to demonstrate more of earnest desire to curb crime. Thanks to former Governor Cuomo 37 cop killers were paroled. That’s going in reverse. Bless you all

Retired PO Michael Fandal
Back up cop in chase to capture DiJoseph’s killer

March 31, 2024