On March 5, 1990, Investigator Joseph Thomas Aversa, a 31-year-old male, was killed in New York, NY, during a chaotic 'buy-bust' operation. A six-year veteran of the New York State Police, Aversa was part of the New York City Drug Enforcement Task Force at the time of his death. The task force was in the process of purchasing a large quantity of cocaine when the situation escalated.
The undercover negotiations took a violent turn when the drug dealers opened fire on an undercover
officer. Investigator Aversa, who was conducting surveillance, led his fellow task force members to the scene. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire with the two traffickers, Aversa was fatally wounded. Two other detectives from the New York City Police Department were also shot and injured in the incident. One of the suspects was wounded and both were taken into custody at the scene.
In a tragic turn of events, it was later determined that the fatal shot that struck Investigator Aversa was accidentally fired by another officer. Despite this, a trial judge ruled that his death was a direct result of the actions of the two suspects. Both individuals were subsequently convicted of second-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. One of the men was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison, while the other received a sentence of 39 years to life.
