In the early morning hours of August 2, 2020, a sense of finality settled over an Astoria, Queens apartment. Inside, 31-year-old Richard Michael Catapano, Jr., an off-duty NYPD officer, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:50 a.m. and discovered him at his residence on 23rd Street. He was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Reports indicated that his girlfriend and a mutual friend were present at the time of the incident, which allegedly followed a dispute with his partner. The New York City Police Department is treating the death as a suicide.
Born on May 11, 1989, Richard, known as Richie, grew up in College Point, Queens, before his family moved to Farmingdale on Long Island. After graduating from Farmingdale High School and a brief period working for Con Edison, he followed his calling to join the NYPD in 2016. He was assigned to the 73rd Precinct, serving the Brownsville and Ocean Hill neighborhoods of Brooklyn, where he was part of the Anti-Crime team. His colleagues remembered him for his dedication to removing illegal firearms from the streets, as well as for his compassion and willingness to help others.
Those who knew him recalled a man with stunning blue eyes and a gorgeous smile who loved to make people laugh and was a gifted storyteller. In the wake of his death, his family established the RMC Memorial Foundation to honor his memory by raising awareness about mental health issues affecting first responders and to provide support to families impacted by suicide. His passing underscored the immense pressures faced by members of law enforcement.
