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Police Officer

Gabriel P. Vitale

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch December 24, 1980

Age 42

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Badge 17193

The Vigil Panel 123 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Police Officer Gabriel Vitale succumbed to gunshot wounds received after he and his partner stopped two suspicious men while investigating a burglary near the intersection of 35th Avenue and 150th Street, in Flushing. Officer Vitale and his partner were on foot patrol near an area where there was a call about a burglary. The officers observed two suspicious men in the area and attempted to question them. When they approached the men, the two fled in different directions. Officer Vitale subdued one at gunpoint. Becoming concerned for his partner, he holstered his weapon to use his radio. At that time the suspect drew a .45 caliber handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Vitale. The suspects were brothers, both 25. Hours later one fled into his apartment and barricaded himself when five officers attempted to arrest him. He was shot and critically wounded when he threw a grenade at them. His brother, Officer Vitale's killer, was apprehended at a Times Square Hotel 15 days later. On July 27, 1981, both were charged along with two others with the stabbing death of a drug dealer on August 30, 1980. On December 21, 1982 he was convicted of Officer Vitale's murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. His brother was sentenced to 25 years to life for throwing the grenade at the officers. Fortunately it did not explode. On February 22, 1983, both were convicted of the drug dealers murder. Officer Vitale's killer will become eligible for parole in 2042; and his brother in 2032. Officer Vitale had served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years and was assigned to the 109th Precinct. His wife and four children survived him.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Vitale gave the New York City Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vitale.

— 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 December 24, 1980

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 42

Badge Number 17193

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Gabriel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Gabriel was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gabriel had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded