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Incident
Corrections Officer Andrew Reister was choked to death while working at a department-sanctioned off duty job at the Southampton Publick House at 62 Jobs Lane in Southampton.
Officer Reister confronted an intoxicated man who was causing a disturbance inside of the restaurant.
When Officer Reister told the man to stop dancing on a table, the man jumped from the table onto Officer Reister, knocking him down. The man then grabbed Officer Reister around the neck and choked him until he was unconscious.
Officer Reister sustained irreversible brain damage and died, as a result, two days later. The man who choked him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Officer Reister had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Officer Reister sustained irreversible brain damage and died, as a result, two days later. The man who choked him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Officer Reister had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Officer Reister gave the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Reister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Andrew is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Andrew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Andrew is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Andrew was 40. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Andrew had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Andrew was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Andrew had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Andrew was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Andrew had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Saturdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 3.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Andrew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Suffolk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
