Moore’s brothers and sisters in blue saluted him on Monday as he left Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Courtesy of NYPD.
Slain PO Brian Moore. Courtesy of Tom Woods.
A veteran 105th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit cop on Monday died from injuries suffered when he was shot in the line of duty on Saturday evening in Queens Village.
The family of Police Officer Brian Moore, 25, decided on Monday morning to take him off life support as he lay in critical condition at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
“Today we mourn the loss of a hero. PO Brian Moore sacrificed his life to prevent crime & disorder & to keep communities free from fear,” Police Commissioner Bill Bratton posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon.
Moore, on the job for five years, and his partner, PO Erik Jansen, 30, were in plainclothes on Saturday riding in an unmarked NYPD vehicle around 6:15 p.m. when they noticed a suspect on 104th Road near 212th Street adjusting what looked like an object in the waistband of his pants. According to the criminal complaint, based on details provided by Jansen, he and Moore “drove slowly alongside [the suspect], Demetrius Blackwell, and inquired as to what he possessed in the waistband of his pants.” After Moore, who was driving, and Jansen both identified themselves as police officers, Jansen said Blackwell then “removed a firearm from his waistband and fired numerous shots” at both cops while they were still in the vehicle.
Moore was shot in the cheek; Jansen was not struck.
“Realizing that Officer Moore was struck in the head and seriously injured, Officer Jansen immediately radioed for assistance,” Bratton said on Sunday. “A responding radio car removed Officer Moore to Jamaica Hospital, while officers on the scene began searching for the suspect. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and located several witnesses that observed a male fitting the description of Blackwell fleeing the area. Blackwell was successfully taken into custody approximately 90 minutes later inside 104-25 212th Place.”
The weapon—a .38-caliber revolver—was recovered Monday morning.
Blackwell, 35, had been arraigned last Sunday on two counts of first-degree attempted murder on a police officer, one count of aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of first-degree assault.
According to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, the charges against Blackwell, who has a reportedly extensive rap sheet, would be upgraded to include a count of murder in the first-degree, which carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing today of New York City Police Officer Brian Moore who lost his life in the line of duty while protecting and serving our community,” Brown said on Monday. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Moore’s family and his fellow officers. Officer Moore’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers that our police officers face each day and the risks that they take as they carry out their sworn duty to keep our streets safe.”
Condolences poured in through Monday evening.
“New York City has lost another brave police officer who placed his life between crime and the good people of the city,” said Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch. “Brian Moore is a hero in every sense of the word. His loss is felt by all of his brother and sister officers as we pray for Brian and for the loving family that he left behind. His family now becomes our family and we will support them in every way possible through the next difficult days and beyond. I’d like to express the gratitude of all New York City police officers for the support and prayers that have been shown by so many caring New Yorkers. God bless Brian Moore, his family and friends.”
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said, “This was an unprovoked attack and cold-blooded murder of Police Officer Brian Moore, one of our City’s Finest, in the line of duty. We deeply mourn this terrible loss. Any attack on our officers is an attack on our society. It is to be condemned in every sense of the word, and the person responsible must be held fully accountable. Our officers deserve the utmost respect for their devotion and the very real dangers they face day-in and day-out in the selfless mission to protect our city. We must take care in remembering this daily, not just in the fresh tears amidst tragedy. We must honor the heroism and ultimate sacrifice rendered by both Police Officer Moore and his dedicated family, who have our prayers and thoughts at this time, and who will have the City’s continuous support.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
