John Silinsky, a 58-year-old male, was a dedicated police officer for the Yonkers Police Department for 28 years. In the early morning hours of September 26, 1982, while off-duty, he was working a second job as a night manager at the Major Deegan Motel located at 3600 Bailey Avenue in the Bronx. It was there that he tragically encountered a situation that would cost him his life.
At approximately 12:20 a.m., Silinsky witnessed two armed men attempting to enter the motel with the intent
to commit a robbery. Reacting quickly, he secured the door to prevent their entry. However, the assailants responded by firing a 9mm semi-automatic pistol through the locked door. A bullet struck Officer Silinsky in the head. The perpetrators then fled the scene, leaving him gravely wounded. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, John Silinsky succumbed to his injuries four days later on September 30, 1982. An investigation into the fatal shooting was launched, which eventually led to the arrest of a suspect who was subsequently charged with murder. However, following a trial, the individual accused of ending the life of the veteran police officer was found not guilty of the crime.
