Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective George Zicarelli was shot and killed in New York City, New York, while on an extradition assignment. Detective Zicarelli and two other officers from the Cleveland Police Department were exiting their vehicle in the parking lot of the Skyway Motel at 10210 Ditmar Boulevard near La Guardia Airport in Queens. Three suspects approached the officers and attempted to rob them. Detective Zicarelli and the other officers identified themselves as police officers when one suspect opened fire and killed Detective Zicarelli. The suspects then stole the officer's vehicle and fled. One of the officers with Detective Zicarelli drew his weapon but was not able to obtain a clear line of fire. Two suspects, both 17, were captured the next day by detectives from the New York City Police Department, the third suspect, 19, turned himself into a local television station. On May 23, 1980, the oldest was convicted of second degree murder, attempted robbery, grand larceny, and sentenced to life. He was paroled on March 13, 2017. Another was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon and grand larceny. He was paroled on July 8, 1982. Detective Zicarelli had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 33 years and was scheduled to retire in six months. He was survived by his five children and three grandchildren. Detective Zicarelli's father and two uncles also served with the Cleveland Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his five children and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-93585110- Stewardship
- 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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Zicarelli gave the Cleveland Division of Police 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Zicarelli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George Zicarelli served in the the United States military (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Detective George Zicarelli is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Zicarelli's cause is highlighted.
How George Zicarelli Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Zicarelli is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Zicarelli was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
George Zicarelli served in the United States military (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
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His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
