Patrolman Oreste E. Gonzalez

Oreste E. Gonzalez

Patrolman Oreste Gonzalez was shot and killed near the intersection of West 74th Street and South Western Avenue while transported a robbery suspect he and his partner had just arrested.

A man had just robbed a taxi driver of cash and the taxicab, which he abandoned several blocks away. As the officers were driving to the abandoned cab they saw the suspect emerge from a restaurant and stopped him. They searched him but failed to find a concealed .25 caliber handgun. As they drove the man to the police station he produced the gun and opened fire, shooting both officers. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman Gonzales returned fire and killed the subject.

The subject who shot him was recently paroled.

Patrolman Gonzalez was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was survived by his expectant wife.