Police Officer Robert E. Machate

Robert E. Machate

Police Officer Robert Machate was shot and killed while checking on an automobile.

Officer Machate and his partner stopped a vehicle that was occupied by two suspicious males. While they were questioning the males, one of the suspects was able to gain control of Officer Machate’s service weapon during a fierce struggle and shot him. The suspect fled but was later apprehended and charged with murder. He was acquitted of murder but convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Escape.

Officer Machate had served with the New York City Police Department for 2 ½ years and was survived by his wife, who was six months pregnant at the time of this incident. Officer Machate was assigned to the Brooklyn South Task Force Anti-Crime Unit.