Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Missing you, cousin!!

Karen Ruotolo. (cousin)
cousin of deceased officer

May 19, 2015

tommy was a sweet gentle sould always a smile on his face. what a sweet disposition he had. will never forget the first day i met him.

P.O. carmen koota
41 pct

February 14, 2015

Today marks the 13st Anniversary of Tommy's murder. Since January I have been producing a documentary based on the statistic that on the average of every 58 hours a Law Enforcement Officer dies in the Line of Duty. My fist reenactment is of the murder of Tommy and the subsequent shooting of 2 other NYC Police Officers who survived. Here is a news clip of the reenactment done January 25th, 2015 in Coral Springs, FL.
http://mashugamedia.com/v/?s=every58hours

Police Officer Joseph P. Johnson, Ret. NYPD

February 14, 2015

Another anniversary of Tommy's murder...a day I will NEVER forget.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
“I am the resurrection and the life”, saith the Lord;
“he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace at the right hand of God, Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Police Officer Joseph P. Johnson, Ret
New York City Police Department

February 10, 2014

Miss you, cousin. Watch over our family.

Karen Ruotolo
Family member

February 18, 2013

Tommy, I know you were looking down and keeping us safe. Even after we retired. GOD bless.
From class of 1/26/1981.

Retired Det. Frank Ruiz

September 5, 2012

Tommy, you are missed so much. Please watch over all of us. Karen

Karen Ruotolo
First Cousin

January 28, 2012

You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 14, 2011

I new Tom before he joined the NYPD. We both started as trainee insurance adjusters at Crumb & Foster. Everytime I think of Tom I smile in my heart. Great friend, beautiful person. You live in the hearts of everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you. God Bless you and God willing we share a laugh again. Rest in Peace my friend.

Jim Spinella
Friend

March 24, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace. I pray for the solace of all those who love and care for you.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 18, 2010

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

December 31, 2009

Today is the the 25th Anniversary of Tommy Ruotolo's murder on Valentines Day 1984.
One night I will NEVER forget.
Rest in Peace, Tommy...

Police Officer Joseph P. Johnson, Ret.
NYPD

February 14, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer Ruotolo and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

February 9, 2009

Today my family ran in the NYPD Memorial run. My daughter ran in your memory. I told her that you are a true hero. I was in the Police Academy when you were killed in the LOD. God Bless your family, this family will always remember your sacrifice.

Sgt Joe Jenkusky
NYPD

May 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 15, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 2, 2008

Only 40 years for a violent career criminal who murdered one PO and tried to kill two others? What a sad commentary on the NY judicial system. May your family take comfort in the fact that you will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten! I salute you sir - and the other tow PO's - for your bravery and sacrifice. Until one day in Heaven we meet, keep walking your beat on the Golden Street. May God Bless you all.

DET SGT, Retired
AR

September 3, 2007

I remember when you got shot. I was in police academy. We were all deeply saddened by the incident.

P.O.(RET)
John Giordano

May 6, 2007

A happy go lucky guy. Truly one of the sweetest guys in the precinct. A genuine gentleman. My blessings to his family.
Edith Q

February 13, 2007

I had worked with Tommy when he first arrived at the 41th Pct. He was a beautiful person. I hope that the family are all well at this time and my condolences and prayers are with them each and every day.

Det. Mike Boylan
NYPD

February 13, 2007

I was working that night in the 41pct. My partner Kenny Stevenson and I were sent to Manhattan for a Menudo concert in Radio City. Before leaving the pct. I borrowed Tommy’s nightstick cause I couldn't find mine. Tommy and Tanya Braithwaite were re-assigned to the sector we were after we were told to go downtown. While at The Associated Press's cafeteria a reporter came up to us. When he saw our collar brass he said "You need to read this" it was an AP teletype of the shooting on 149 & Bruckner. All it said was “2 Cops shot dead & 1 wounded 149 & Bruckner”. I called the house and was told Tommy was dead and Tanya was in Lincoln's ER.. Sgt Kenny McCarthy went with us on the detail to Manhattan so we had an RMP. Sgt McCarthy went to the temp command HQ and told the Inspector what happened in the Bronx and that we wanted to leave. The Inspector told him "No, there’s nothing you can do up there" Sgt McCarthy opened the door on the command post vehicle and said "Do you want these 2 guys to stay here knowing what they know what happened"? The Inspector just said "Go" and we did. We got to Lincoln, outside the ER had to be 50+ cops in and out of uniform waiting to give blood if necessary. Sgt. Jimmy McGovern was the Patrol Supervisor that night and was in the ER when we went in. Tommy was in an ER treatment area covered with a sheet and Tanya was 2 over. I remember that Paul Paley, a Felony Bureau Bronx DA was in with her ALONE we went in and threw him out. We went in and spoke to Tanya who kept asking “How’s Tommy”, she didn’t know he was killed in the gun battle. Sgt. McGovern told us what happened. A past gun point robbery of a moped went out over the air and a few minutes later Tommy and Tanya saw a guy in the Power Test gas station on 149 & Bruckner meeting the description. When Tommy turned into the station he nosed the front of the RMP towards the guy with the moped who was near the gas pumps. Tommy got out with the car door between him and the suspect when without warning, George Agosto, a recently Paroled Felon, wheeled with a gun, brought it up and fired. Tommy was struck over the left eyebrow and was dead before he hit the floor. On the other side of the gas station was an off duty 40 Cop, Hipolito Padilla. Padilla was in a phone booth on the station property and witnessed the perp shoot Tommy and was firing additional shots at Tanya. As Tanya ran for cover she was shot in the lower back and butt and collapsed behind the RMP. Padilla dropped the phone and engaged the perp from about 75 feet. Agosto fired at Padilla and hit him in the stomach. It was not known until many hours later Hipolito found his target during the shootout. Agosto was hit in the chest and fled. 2 Samaritans who were in the gas station went to where Tommy & Tanya were and got on the radio and called for help. After leaving the hospital we went back to the 41. The Pct. was a hornet’s nest with Brass and reporters. I went up to my locker and grabbed my off-duty and a box of 50. By now everyone was out hunting the guy who did this we came up empty. When the shift was over Capt. Kenny Roe, CO of the 41 Sqd. gave us a description of the perp then told the whole 4x12 to change into civvies, “Load Up” and sign out a radio. Nobody form the 4x12 was going home we were gonna continue the hunt for the shooter, off-duty. I remember after changing and coming down the stairs from the 3rd floor locker room Capt. Roe met us on the 2nd floor by the sqd’s office and told us the perp was pushed out of a moving car in front Bronx-Lebanon’s ER. Agosto was taken into custody. 8 months later Agosto pled guilty to 1 count of Murder and 2 counts of attempted murder. Police Officer Thomas Ruotolo was married to Mary Beth and the couple were in the process of adopting a child. Tommy Ruotolo was scheduled to be transferred out of the 41 Pct. to 1 PP in a week to work in MISD. He never made it. Some years later while I was in a restaurant in Dobbs Ferry, NY I met a girl who turned out to be Tommy’s cousin. That night I gave her back Tommy’s nightstick. Since that "Valentine's Day" in 1984 I have never forgotten that night. Ironic on that on a day for love a loved one was so violently taken from his family.

Police Officer Joseph Johnson, Ret. NYPD

February 13, 2007

I was in high school when Officer Ruotolo was murdered. His death was captured on the front page of the Daily News and I will never forget the story of how he paid the ultimate sacrifice. To this day I remember his name and the circumstances surrounding the case. As a native New Yorker, I just want to say to Officer Ruotolo, his family and all of the members of the NYPD that he will never be forgotten. Thank you for your life and service.

Rick
US Army

February 7, 2006

I was soon to be graduating from college in New Jersey when Ofc. Ruotolo was killed in the line of duty. Many years later, I am now a San Francisco Police Officer who now understands the sacrafice Ofc. Ruotolo made. Thank you Ofc. Ruotolo for you dedication and service to your community.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

December 1, 2005

Company 81-19 will forever miss you.

November 28, 2005

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.


Let this death serve as a example of why the parole system should be abolished.