New York State Office of Court Administration, New York
End of Watch Thursday, July 7, 1988
Add to My HeroesAlphonso B. Deal
Senior Court Clerk Alphonso Deal was shot and killed while coming to the assistance of a robbery victim on West 140th Street in New York City at approximately 11:10 pm.
He was attempting to arrest a man who had shot another man and stolen his bicycle when the man suddenly turned around and opened fire, striking Officer Deal. Although mortally wounded, Officer Deal was able to return fire and struck the suspect five times, wounding him. Officer Deal was transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital where he died of his injuries.
The 27-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2033.
Court Officer Deal had served with the New York State Office of Court Administration for 16 years. He was survived by his mother and sibling.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 16 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsHeavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.
Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];
"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv.
Ordained/Licensed Independent WCM Clergy (06/01/2020)
I'M PRAYING MINISTRY: Devoted to Intercessory Prayer and God's Word
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Member: National Certified Chaplains Association (NCCA)
Member: National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM)
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)
July 5, 2025
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