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Incident
Police Officer DeRosa was accidentally shot and killed by another officer. Officers were called to a report of an assault in North Amityville. Officer DeRosa was in one of three patrol cars that responded to the call. The first two officers on the scene observed the vehicle containing the suspect, coming down the street and ordered it to halt. Officer DeRosa's car was behind the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle then lurched forward and one officer jumped backward, discharging his shotgun. The shot missed the suspect’s vehicle but struck Officer DeRosa in the chest, killing him. The suspect was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment first-degree and assault second-degree.
Survivors
Officer DeRosa had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer DeRosa gave the Suffolk County Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer DeRosa.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Suffolk County Police Department has lost 27 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Suffolk County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1976, 2 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 28. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Suffolk County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 40.5; the middle age was 35. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8.2 years.
William was 28. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths at Suffolk County Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 10%.
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 12.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37% of all 27 deaths at Suffolk County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Suffolk County Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John J. Nolan
Apr 17, 1960
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Vincent DeVivo
Oct 28, 1962
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Carmelo A. Cattano
May 30, 1963
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George McMullen
Apr 24, 1969
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George A. Frees
Apr 6, 1971
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Albert A. Willetts
Jun 3, 1971
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Frank D. Cataldo
Nov 3, 1971
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William DeRosa
Jan 31, 1976
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Jack Burkhardt, Sr.
Mar 15, 1977
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Ralph Sorli
Aug 14, 1977
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Carmine Michael Macchia
Jun 15, 1978
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Lawrence Devine
Aug 22, 1981
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Dennis John Wustenhoff
Feb 15, 1990
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John Jantzen
Apr 21, 1991
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James Hutchens
Jul 2, 1992
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Henry J. Stewart
Jul 11, 1992
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John J. Venus
Nov 20, 1994
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Timothy J. Henck
Aug 6, 1995
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Edwin Hernandez
Jul 27, 2004
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Glen L. Ciano
Feb 22, 2009
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Craig L. Capolino
Jan 30, 2013
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James Thomas Farrell
Dec 1, 2017
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Dennis Wallace Reichardt
Oct 4, 2018
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Stephen John Mullen
Dec 7, 2018
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Robert John Van Zeyl
Jan 20, 2021
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Thomas Patrick Compitello
Dec 16, 2022
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Robert John Kirwan
Sep 23, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
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