On a Sunday in Brooklyn, what began as a routine stop of two suspicious men escalated into a deadly encounter that claimed the life of Police Officer Norman Cerullo, a 29-year-old male. On April 2, 1978, Officer Cerullo and his partner, Officer Christie D. Masone, were on patrol when they stopped the two individuals in front of 660 Willoughby Street.
The situation quickly turned violent. While Officer Cerullo was back in the patrol car after speaking with one of the men, Officer Masone engaged in a struggle with the second suspect. This individual suddenly brandished a 9mm handgun and opened fire on Officer Masone. Officer Cerullo immediately exited the vehicle and returned fire at the second suspect. The exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of Officer Masone at the scene. Officer Cerullo was mortally wounded, and one of the suspects was also killed.
The suspect who had struggled with Officer Masone, despite being shot twice in the legs, managed to flee the scene in a vehicle. His escape was short-lived, however, as he crashed into a parked car eight blocks away at the intersection of Summer Avenue and Lexington Avenue. An off-duty officer, who was on his way to the hospital to assist the fallen officers, noticed the crash. After learning the details of the shooting at the hospital, he realized the connection, returned to the accident scene with other officers, and arrested the suspect. The arrested man was found to be in possession of a loaded. 22 caliber Derringer pistol, in addition to the 9mm handgun he had used in the shooting. The suspect who was killed at the scene was also found to be carrying a loaded. 22 Derringer.
The surviving suspect was arrested and charged with murder. However, the path to justice was fraught with legal challenges. Two separate trials were held, but both ended with hung juries, meaning the jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. In a third and final trial, the suspect was acquitted of all charges related to the deaths of Officer Norman Cerullo and Officer Christie D. Masone.
