On a cold Valentine's Day in 1984, 30-year-old New York City Police Officer Thomas Ruotolo was tragically killed in the line of duty in the Bronx. That evening, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Officer Ruotolo and his partner were on patrol in the 41st Precinct when they received a report of a stolen moped. Shortly after, they spotted the suspect, George Agosto, filling the moped with gasoline at a station on the corner of 149th Street and Bruckner Avenue.
As Officer Ruotolo and his partner
pulled their patrol car up and exited the vehicle to approach Agosto, the suspect, without any words being exchanged, drew a snub-nosed revolver and opened fire. Officer Ruotolo was struck in the head and died at the scene. His partner returned fire but was wounded in the exchange. An off-duty officer who happened to be at a pay phone at the gas station witnessed the shooting and also engaged the suspect, but he too was shot and wounded. Both wounded officers were taken to a local hospital and later recovered.
The suspect, George Agosto, a career criminal who was on parole for manslaughter and robbery at the time, fled the scene but was later apprehended at a hospital where he sought treatment for four gunshot wounds sustained during the shootout. Following his arrest, Agosto pleaded guilty to one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of first-degree attempted murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. In September 2023, George Agosto was denied parole. In recognition of his sacrifice, the corner of Southern Boulevard and Intervale Avenue in the Bronx was co-named in honor of Officer Thomas Ruotolo.
