Anthony J. Abruzzo, Jr.

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch December 16, 1981

Age 34

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Badge 3204

The Vigil Panel 125 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Police Officer Abruzzo was shot and killed while off-duty when he attempted to intervene in the robbery of his father-in-law in Flushing, Queens. Officer Abruzzo's father-in-law had just returned home from work when three men approached him and struck him over the head with a gun. When Officer Abruzzo heard the commotion from inside his father-in-law's house, he ran out to assist. As he exited the house, unarmed, he called out to the suspects, "Police Officer!" The suspects turned and opened fire at Officer Abruzzo, striking him in the chest. When Officer Abruzzo's wife and brother-in-law ran to his side to help, they were shot at by the suspect also, but were not injured. Officer Abruzzo was transported to Long Island Jewish Medical Center where he died from his wounds. The suspects then fled the scene in a stolen car. They were apprehended six months later after one's girlfriend cashed checks that they had taken out of the stolen car. All three suspects, 21, 22, and 23, were convicted of murder, attempted murder, and attempted robbery. They were subsequently sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. One died in prison on March 14, 2014. One was paroled on December 8, 2020, and the other was paroled on May 21, 2019. Officer Abruzzo had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the 109th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and one child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-48249A0B
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Abruzzo gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Abruzzo.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 16, 1981

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 34

Badge Number 3204

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Three sentenced to life in prison

Police Officer Anthony J. Abruzzo, Jr. 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 Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious