Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-0C41C5A1- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Seraphin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Seraphin Calabrese 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Transit Police Department, 11 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Seraphin Calabrese's cause is highlighted.
How Seraphin Calabrese Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Seraphin Calabrese is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Seraphin Calabrese was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
