Incident
Corrections Officer Andrew Reister was choked to death while working at a department-sanctioned off duty job at the Southampton Publick House at 62 Jobs Lane in Southampton.
Officer Reister confronted an intoxicated man who was causing a disturbance inside of the restaurant.
When Officer Reister told the man to stop dancing on a table, the man jumped from the table onto Officer Reister, knocking him down. The man then grabbed Officer Reister around the neck and choked him until he was unconscious.
Officer Reister sustained irreversible brain damage and died, as a result, two days later. The man who choked him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Officer Reister had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Officer Reister sustained irreversible brain damage and died, as a result, two days later. The man who choked him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Officer Reister had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-B29EB4D8- 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.
Corrections Officer Reister gave the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Reister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corrections Officer Andrew Paul Reister 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 Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Andrew Paul Reister's cause is highlighted.
How Andrew Paul Reister Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 22 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Andrew Paul Reister is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Andrew Paul Reister was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Suffolk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.


