Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Richard J. Guerzon and Detective Keith Williams were shot and killed by a prisoner as they were returning him to Riker's Island. The detectives had picked up the prisoner at Riker's Island to bring him to the Queen's District Attorney's Office so a polygraph test could be administered. The prisoner was secured in a room and handcuffed to a pipe on the wall, but left unsupervised. It was during this time that their killer broke into a locker within his reach and obtained a handgun. When the polygraph was canceled, the prisoner was cuffed behind his back and to be returned to Riker’s Island. As the detectives drove along the Grand Central Parkway near LaGuardia Airport, the prisoner drew the weapon and ordered the detectives to pull the car to the side of the road. As soon as the vehicle stopped, the prisoner killed both officers. He uncuffed himself with the detectives' handcuff keys and fled. The detectives' killer, 25, was apprehended a few hours later in Brooklyn. He was subsequently convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 91 years to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2079. Detective Guerzon was a United States Army veteran who had served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years and was assigned to the Queens District Attorney’s Squad.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-9B932098- 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 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.
Detective Guerzon gave the New York City Police Department 20 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
Richard J. Guerzon served in the Army (1960â1963) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Richard J. Guerzon 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard J. Guerzon's cause is highlighted.
How Richard J. Guerzon Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard J. Guerzon is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard J. Guerzon was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
