Patrolman Robert L. Denton

Robert L. Denton

Patrolman Robert Denton was stabbed to death by a man for no apparent reason outside a grocery store at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Blake Avenue, in Brooklyn, at approximately 2:15 am.

Several minutes before the stabbing, the suspect had stopped Patrolman Denton and his partner and asked them how to become a policeman. After answering the question, Patrolman Denton and his partner entered a store. After several minutes, Patrolman Denton exited the store when he was approached by the subject, who pulled a 13-inch knife from a pocket and stabbed Patrolman Denton twice in the neck. The man was apprehended by a group of bystanders.

On June 13th, 1972, the suspect, 20, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced from 25 years to life in prison. He was paroled on January 19, 2021.

Patrolman Denton was a United States Army veteran who served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct. He was survived by his wife.