Bernardino Grottano

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch May 26, 1924

Age 42

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Badge 267

The Vigil Panel 47 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Bernardino Grottano succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained as he attempted to capture an armed robbery suspect. At approximately 10:30 pm on May 19th, 1924, a patrolman on his beat observed that there was no store clerk behind the counter of the United Cigar Store on Fulton Street, Brooklyn. When the patrolman stopped to investigate, a man standing in front of the store drew a handgun and pointed it at the patrolman. The patrolman lunged at the suspect, who then fled on foot. During the chase, the suspect ran by Detective Grottano, who was standing at the corner of Fulton Street and Hanover Place. Detective Grottano attempted to apprehend the suspect but was unable to grab him. Detective Grottano joined the patrolman in the foot chase. During the chase, the suspect opened fire and Detective Grottano, and the patrolman returned fire. During the exchange, Detective Grottano was struck in the chest and fell to the ground, mortally wounded. As the chase continued, the suspect was also shot and killed. Detective Grottano was taken to Brooklyn Hospital where he died from his wounds seven days later. A second suspect, who was inside the cigar store, was apprehended several months later and charged with murder. Detective Grottano had served with the New York City Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to the 78th Precinct Detective Squad.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Detective Sergeant Grottano gave the New York City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Grottano.

— 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 May 26, 1924

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Age 42

Badge Number 267

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Detective Sergeant Bernardino Grottano 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