Patrolman Robert Joseph Byrnes

Robert Joseph Byrnes

Patrolman Bob Byrnes and Patrolman Nickolas Panico were shot and killed by a man who went on a shooting spree at Coney Island.

The suspect attempted to murder his former landlady and then ran outside and killed a woman sitting on a bench. The suspect then ran onto the Coney Island Boardwalk at West 25th Street and approached Patrolman Panico and Byrnes from behind. He shot them both in the back of their heads. Patrolman Panico was killed at the scene, and Patrolman Byrnes succumbed to his wounds at Coney Island Hospital four days later.

The suspect continued shooting at other citizens, wounding three more people, including another patrolman, before being shot and killed by an Emergency Service Unit officer.

Patrolman Byrnes was a U.S Navy veteran of the Korean War and served with the New York City Police Department for five years, assigned to the 94th Precinct. He was detailed to Coney Island for the summer. He was survived by his wife and three children.