Detective Richard Henneberry

Richard Henneberry

Detective Richard Henneberry died of gunshot wounds he received two days earlier when he attempted to stop a stolen vehicle at approximately 4:00 pm.

He and his partner were on patrol when they noticed a sedan that they suspected was stolen. The detectives cut the vehicle off and exited their vehicle. As they exited, four suspects exited the stolen vehicle and opened fire, striking Detective Henneberry in the chest.

The four suspects fled and were pursued by Detective Henneberry's partner and other officers into a home at 433 West 35th Street, Manhattan, where they again exchanged gunfire with two of the suspects. In that exchange of gunfire, a citizen, who lived in the home, was shot and killed when one of the suspects used her as a human shield against the gunfire of the officers. The two suspects surrendered after they ran out of ammunition.

A third suspect was chased into the cellar of another house, where two patrolmen apprehended him after a violent hand-to-hand struggle. The fourth suspect, a 17-year-old girl, was arrested later.

The 18-year-old suspect who shot Detective Henneberry and used the 35-year-old mother of four as a human shield was convicted of their murders and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Detective Henneberry had served with the New York City Police Department for six years and was assigned to the Detective Division. He was survived by his wife and four children.