Robert A. Sorrentino

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch April 24, 1980

Age 35

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Badge 31143

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Police Officer Robert Sorrentino was shot and killed while chasing five suspects who had just robbed a club in the Far Rockaway section of Queens. Officer Sorrentino and his partner had split up to chase the suspects. After his partner captured one of the men, he heard shots fired and ran to Officer Sorrentino's location, where he found Officer Sorrentino in a schoolyard at 595 Beach 19th Street. Officer Sorrentino had been shot several times. Officer Sorrentino was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. All five of the suspects, 25, 26, 26, 38, and 50, were eventually apprehended and convicted of charges in connection with the incident on December 10, 1981. All five were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on January 7, 1982. The oldest, who was the gunman, died in prison on July 17, 1984. The 25-year-old died in prison on December 8, 1986. The 38-year-old died in prison on April 26, 1997. One, 26, was paroled on July 28, 2020. The other one, 26, died in prison before 2005. Officer Sorrentino was assigned to the 101st Precinct and had served with the New York City Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three stepchildren, his parents, and five siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-662F4EB0
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Sorrentino gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sorrentino.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

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

Service Record

End of Watch April 24, 1980

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Age 35

Badge Number 31143

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Police Officer Robert A. Sorrentino is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 20 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.

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.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious