In the spring of 1980, a dedicated male police officer, Robert Sorrentino, found his life tragically cut short in the line of duty in Queens, NY. A seven-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, Officer Sorrentino was assigned to the 101st Precinct. His commitment to protecting the city's residents was unwavering, a dedication that ultimately placed him in the path of incredible danger.
He is survived by his wife and three stepchildren, his parents, and five siblings.
The fatal encounter began when Officer Sorrentino and his partner responded to a robbery at a social club in the Edgemere section of Queens in April 1980. Five individuals were fleeing the scene, and the officers gave chase. In the ensuing pursuit, Sorrentino and his partner separated to track down the suspects. The chase led Officer Sorrentino into a darkened schoolyard at 595 Beach 19th Street in Far Rockaway. It was there that he was ambushed and shot five times by one of the men he was pursuing. His partner, after apprehending one of the other suspects, heard the gunshots and rushed to his aid, finding Sorrentino gravely wounded.
Despite being rushed to a local hospital and undergoing 15 hours of emergency surgery, Officer Sorrentino succumbed to his injuries two weeks later. The investigation that followed led to the apprehension of all five suspects involved in the robbery and shooting. The gunman was identified as Marcel Marable. The suspects, aged 25, 26, 26, 38, and 50, were all eventually convicted on charges connected to the incident on December 10, 1981. On January 7, 1982, all five received sentences of 25 years to life in prison. The gunman died in prison on July 17, 1984. Three of the other suspects also died while incarcerated. One of the 26-year-old men was paroled on July 28, 2020.
