In the winter of 1977, the life of off-duty police officer William Flood was tragically cut short in a fatal encounter in Harlem. On the evening of Wednesday, December 21st, Officer Flood, a United States Marine Corps veteran, was entering a building on Nichols Avenue with another person when they were followed inside by a man intent on robbery.
As the confrontation unfolded, Officer Flood attempted to arrest the individual. During this heroic act, he was shot and killed. The suspect, an escaped prisoner from Green Haven Prison, fled the scene with Officer Flood's firearm. A short time later, law enforcement apprehended the suspect, finding him in possession of the officer's weapon. He was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. After serving a portion of his sentence, the man responsible for Officer Flood's death was paroled on June 30, 2009.
