Incident
Patrolman Louis Rienzo succumbed to injuries sustained two weeks earlier when he was struck by a drunk driver while directing traffic at an accident scene. The man who struck him was charged with reckless driving and drunk driving. Patrolman Rienzo had served with the New Haven Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-2A040544- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Rienzo gave the New Haven Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rienzo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Louis P. Rienzo is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Haven Police Dept., 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis P. Rienzo's cause is highlighted.
How Louis P. Rienzo Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Louis P. Rienzo is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Louis P. Rienzo was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from New Haven Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.







