In the early morning hours of an autumn day in the Bronx, a life of public service was tragically cut short. Bruce Mayo, a 27-year-old male Correction Officer, was killed on October 4, 1993. An officer with the New York City Department of Correction for six years, he was assigned to the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.
On that fateful night, Mayo was off-duty when he found himself in the midst of a dispute outside a bar located at 2140 East Tremont Avenue.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation and act as a peacemaker, he intervened in the fight. It was then that a gunman approached him from behind and fatally shot him once in the back of the head. His actions, even while not on official duty, were a testament to his commitment to public safety.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched, which soon led to the identification and apprehension of a suspect. The individual was taken into custody in connection with the murder of Officer Mayo. Bruce Mayo was survived by his wife, Cynthia, and their 6-year-old son, Christopher. His death was a profound loss to his family, colleagues, and the community he served.
