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Seraphin Calabrese
Incident
Police Officer Seraphin Calabrese was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to arrest a fare evader at the Columbus Circle subway station. The fare was only 50 cents. The suspect immediately grabbed Officer Calabrese's gun and shot him. Another nearby transit officer apprehended the suspect. On January 20. 1981, the suspect, 29, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. He died in prison on December 24, 2021. Officer Irving Smith was shot and killed five days later while attempting to take action during a robbery of a bar. He and several other officers went to the bar following the funeral of Officer Calabrese. Officer Calabrese was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New York City Transit Police Department, assigned to Transit District 1.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and stepdaughter.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Seraphin is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Calabrese gave the New York City Transit Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Seraphin Calabrese served in the U.S. Army (1966â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Transit Police Department has lost 14 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Seraphin is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Seraphin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Seraphin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 3 officers at New York City Transit Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1980, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Seraphin was 34. Of the 11 killed feloniously at New York City Transit Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 36. Seraphin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Seraphin was 34. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Seraphin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Seraphin was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Seraphin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Seraphin was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Seraphin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 27.3% of these deaths at New York City Transit Police Department; June holds the most, 36.4%. Sundays: 9.1%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.6% of all 14 deaths at New York City Transit Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Transit Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Seraphin among them.
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John Tuohy
Mar 20, 1963
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Lloyd Herman Innes
Jun 16, 1967
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Michael Melchiona
Feb 28, 1970
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John M Skagen
Jun 28, 1972
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Sidney L. Thompson
Jun 5, 1973
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George Caccavale
Jun 26, 1976
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Carlos King
Dec 20, 1976
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Seraphin Calabrese
Feb 24, 1980
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Irving W. Smith
Feb 29, 1980
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Joseph Keegan
Jun 19, 1980
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Joseph Hamperian
Sep 22, 1983
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Irma Fran Lozada
Sep 21, 1984
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Robert Venable
Sep 22, 1987
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William T. Martin
Apr 9, 2011
Where
Military Service
Seraphin Calabrese served in the U.S. Army (1966–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Seraphin Calabrese’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
