Prev
Vivian A. Samuels-Benjamin
Incident
School Safety Agent Vivian Samuels-Benjamin suffered a fatal heart attack after being assaulted by a student at Intermediate School 390 in Brooklyn.
She was assigned to a school holiday dance at the school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. As the students were entering, a 12-year-old suspect began to cause a disturbance. Agent Samuels-Benjamin approached the suspect to escort her from the building when the suspect struck Agent Samuels twice in the head, knocking her to the ground. Two other School Safety Agents rushed to assist Agent Samuels and were able to take the suspect into custody.
After the incident, Agent Samuels-Benjamin got up off the ground but collapsed just minutes later. She was taken to Kings County Hospital where she died.
The girl who assaulted Agent Samuels-Benjamin was charged with harassment and resisting arrest.
Agent Samuels-Benjamin had served with the New York City Police Department - Division of School Safety for 24 years.
Survivors
She is survived by two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnn3m9540kwr857y3be3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Vivian. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
School Safety Agent Samuels-Benjamin gave the New York City Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, School Safety Agent Samuels-Benjamin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
New York City Police Department - Division of School Safety has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Vivian is one of 102 officers lost to cardiac events in NY, 4.8% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Vivian is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Vivian is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in NY were lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 57 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 6.
In 2005, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2005, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Vivian was 56. Of the 92 lost to cardiac events in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 51.5; the middle age was 45. Vivian had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Vivian was 56. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Vivian had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Vivian was 56. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Vivian had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 6.9% of these deaths in NY; January holds the most, 13.7%. Fridays: 18.6%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at New York City Police Department - Division of School Safety.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Her people
New York City Police Department - Division of School Safety has 2 officers remembered here, Vivian among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New York City Police Department - Division of School Safety are honored on badge.nw.
