Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Denton was stabbed to death by a man for no apparent reason outside a grocery store at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Blake Avenue, in Brooklyn, at approximately 2:15 am. Several minutes before the stabbing, the suspect had stopped Patrolman Denton and his partner and asked them how to become a policeman. After answering the question, Patrolman Denton and his partner entered a store. After several minutes, Patrolman Denton exited the store when he was approached by the subject, who pulled a 13-inch knife from a pocket and stabbed Patrolman Denton twice in the neck. The man was apprehended by a group of bystanders. On June 13th, 1972, the suspect, 20, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced from 25 years to life in prison. He was paroled on January 19, 2021. Patrolman Denton was a United States Army veteran who served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-95D7157A- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Robert 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.
Patrolman Denton gave the New York City Police Department 2 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
Robert L. Denton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Robert L. Denton 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert L. Denton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Denton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Denton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Denton was killed by edged weapon.
Military Service
Robert L. Denton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert L. Denton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
