In West Babylon, New York, on May 13, 2016, Michael Ameri, a 44-year-old Caucasian male and a respected Inspector in the New York Police Department, was found dead in his car from what authorities described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. His vehicle was discovered near the Bergen Point Golf Course, not far from his home. The Suffolk County Police Department handled the investigation into his death.
At the time of his death, Ameri was the commanding officer of the NYPD's Highway Patrol Unit, a position he had held for nearly two years. Before that, he served as the commander of the 78th Precinct in Park Slope, Brooklyn. His death sent ripples of shock through the department and the communities he had served.
In the period leading up to his death, Ameri had been questioned by federal investigators as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe into the NYPD. The investigation was examining allegations of high-ranking police officials accepting gifts and trips from businessmen in exchange for police favors, such as escorts and special parking privileges. Sources indicated that Ameri was questioned in connection with providing police escorts to one of the businessmen at the center of the probe.
Despite being questioned, the NYPD maintained that Ameri was not a primary focus or target of the investigation and had been cooperating with authorities. He had not been subjected to any departmental discipline related to the probe. The investigation into the broader corruption allegations continued after his death, but authorities have not announced any arrests or named any suspects directly in connection with Michael Ameri's death, which was determined to be a suicide.
