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Incident
Patrolman Albert Willetts was killed when his motorcycle collided with an automobile. Patrolman Willetts was involved in a crash on Route 25 in Selden. A vehicle turning into a shopping center struck Officer Willetts’ motorcycle and he was thrown from his vehicle. Officer Willetts succumbed to head injuries sustained in the crash.
Survivors
Patrolman Willetts was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Willetts gave the Suffolk County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Willetts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Suffolk County Police Department has lost 27 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Albert is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Albert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Albert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers at Suffolk County Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 5 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1971, 79 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1971, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Albert was 30. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Suffolk County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 40.5; the middle age was 35. Albert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8.2 years.
Albert was 30. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Albert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Albert was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Albert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Albert was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Albert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Suffolk County Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 40%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37% of all 27 deaths at Suffolk County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Suffolk County Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Albert among them.
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John J. Nolan
Apr 17, 1960
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Vincent DeVivo
Oct 28, 1962
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Carmelo A. Cattano
May 30, 1963
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George McMullen
Apr 24, 1969
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George A. Frees
Apr 6, 1971
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Albert A. Willetts
Jun 3, 1971
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Frank D. Cataldo
Nov 3, 1971
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William DeRosa
Jan 31, 1976
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Jack Burkhardt, Sr.
Mar 15, 1977
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Ralph Sorli
Aug 14, 1977
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Carmine Michael Macchia
Jun 15, 1978
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Lawrence Devine
Aug 22, 1981
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Dennis John Wustenhoff
Feb 15, 1990
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John Jantzen
Apr 21, 1991
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James Hutchens
Jul 2, 1992
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Henry J. Stewart
Jul 11, 1992
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John J. Venus
Nov 20, 1994
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Timothy J. Henck
Aug 6, 1995
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Edwin Hernandez
Jul 27, 2004
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Glen L. Ciano
Feb 22, 2009
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Craig L. Capolino
Jan 30, 2013
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James Thomas Farrell
Dec 1, 2017
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Dennis Wallace Reichardt
Oct 4, 2018
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Stephen John Mullen
Dec 7, 2018
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Robert John Van Zeyl
Jan 20, 2021
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Thomas Patrick Compitello
Dec 16, 2022
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Robert John Kirwan
Sep 23, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
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