Christie D. Masone
Agency patch
Police Officer

Christie D. Masone

Felonious
End of Watch April 2, 1978
Age 28
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 12544
The Vigil Panel 119 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Christie Masone and Police Officer Norman Cerullo were shot and killed after stopping two suspicious men in front of 660 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn. Officer Cerullo exited the patrol car and spoke to one suspect, while Officer Masone talked to the other suspect, who was still seated in the patrol car. After Officer Cerullo had finished speaking to one suspect, he re-entered the patrol car. Officer Masone suddenly exited the vehicle and began to struggle with the one suspect. This suspect then drew a 9mm handgun from his clothes and began firing at Officer Masone. Officer Cerullo exited the patrol car and began firing at the second suspect. When the gunfire stopped, Officer Masone lay dead. Officer Cerullo was mortally wounded, and one suspect was dead. The suspect, who had been struggling with Officer Masone, was struck twice in the legs but was able to get to his car and escape the scene. He traveled eight blocks before crashing into a parked car at Sumner Avenue (Marcus Garvey Boulevard) and Lexington Avenue. An off-duty officer en route to the hospital to offer assistance to the fallen officers noticed the accident but did not connect it to the shooting. When he arrived at the hospital and was informed of the circumstances of the shooting, he took three uniformed officers, returned to the accident scene, and arrested the suspect. The arrested suspect was later discovered to be in possession of a loaded .22 Derringer pistol in addition to the 9 mm he used to kill both officers. The suspect who died in the shootout was also found to be in possession of a loaded .22 Derringer pistol. The suspect who was arrested was charged with murder. Two trials ended in hung juries. The suspect was acquitted of all charges in the third trial. The suspect, who was on parole in Virginia, was sentenced to one year in prison in Virginia for parole violations in connection with this incident. The suspect is the same person who led a prison revolt at Attica State Prison

In Our Keeping

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BO-US-NY-C3387E8D
Stewardship
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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 Masone 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 Masone.

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

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 2, 1978
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 12544
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; 9 mm
Offender One killed; One Acquitted

Police Officer Christie D. Masone 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

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christie D. Masone's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Christie D. Masone Compares

Age at End of Watch
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

One killed; One Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christie D. Masone is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christie D. Masone was killed by handgun; 9 mm.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location