Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I think about you and Bob Sanzone all the time. We had great times together both in HS and at Fort Bragg. The Flame Lounge and onto Ryan’s and ending up at the Embassy Dinner until the sun came up Sunday morning. First Sanzone, then you, Andy Manguise, and a couple of years ago I was with Pateracki when he left us. Figure all you guys are together again. Keep a spot open for me since I’m now in the 9th, just don’t know the top or the bottom. Love and missed you all these years my friend

Bob McDevitt
HS and Army Airborne brothers.

June 25, 2023

As I read about this officer's life cut short by a mad man with a knife while doing this job to protect the people of New York. It's a sad reminder of the dangers these men and women face every day when they
put on the uniform and go out the door. The public will never know the true dangers of the job they face and the personal risk they take every day to keep us all safe from harm.

PO Morelli
Housing PD

July 25, 2022

my memories of this outstanding friend of mine...in brief...i was 16 and ran into Bob at the candystore in Levittown (Gardiners Ave) and while i was parking this big buick i was driving at the time .. i hit another parked car ...well this car belong to some members of a tough crowd inside the candy store ..hence they came out to kick my ass...Robert who i knew from Levittown south green and memorial high school..came out and defended me and all these toughs backed off....the 2nd incident i was in NY city on music business and i was parked illegally and Robert was about to give me a ticket when he looked up and saw who i was and we had a good laugh and we chatted a bit and told him i was surprised he was working in the city...well again he just put his ticket book away and we said our goodbyes...i couldn't believe he was so kind to me and i never did anything to deserve this from him....but just him knowing me and my brother and my friends....he showed mercy for me...Soon thereafter i read about his death....HE DID NOT DESERVE this kind of death...the guy who knifed him was talking to him about joining the police force so Bob's defensives were down...he was just sitting in his parked car without a clue of what was going to happen.....I love you Bob and i always remember who you were....and i kept the newspaper articles written about that day....i also came by your wake and funeral...YOU WERE THE BEST OF THE BEST

DAVID BARRETO....a school buddy

February 14, 2022

Dear Bob, I barely knew you but attended your wedding when you married my dear friend Cathy Tirado in Bethpage, LI, NY. I’ve thought about you many times and still stay in touch with Cathy. Thank You for your service to protect us both in Viet Nam and as a police officer. You are gone but never forgotten. Rest well Bob.

Judy Nickler Lewis
Friend

January 29, 2022

Patrolman Denton,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 24, 2021

May You Continue To Rest In Eternal Peace Patrolman Denton.

Lieutenant Gregory W Chupa
NYPD (Retired)

July 20, 2021

Robert, you not only served our nation in the military; you chose to continue serving as an NYPD police officer. I remember the few times you had visited your aunt...you always remained in our hearts. May you rest in peace.

Love to you and all those who knew you.
You will never be forgotten.

Carolann
Cousin

December 15, 2020

Thank you for your service and today we take the time to remind you and your family that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 24, 2020

I wish the Lord above would give me the power to make the Denton family know how remorseful and how much sorrow we as a family feel for them I have always wanted to sit and let them know we as a family were and still am very hurt by this I myself can only ask forgiveness and may the Lord above plant forgiveness in your hearts .we have never gotten over this

Melvin
A Dennis family member

December 3, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Denton.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 24, 2019

Mailed my No Parole letter, on behalf of Patrolman Denton. Thank You for your service and sacrifice. God Bless You All

Allie
Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

April 17, 2018

My prayers be with your family. I hope my letter to the parole board makes a difference. Thank you and RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

May 10, 2016

A True "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County, NY Police Department

May 5, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, books and magazines and finally find your Photo on Twitter and make sure your photo was put on this site. I wanted to put a face to your heroism in the Line of Duty. I did the research because you are a brother officer and no matter how many years past, you will always be remembered. Rest Easy Hero.

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 17, 2013

My dad recently passed away and while he was alive he would tell me stories about his work.I always remember my father speaking about a young police officer who he was close to and was saddened by his death.My father was a police officer in the 73rd precinct for most of his career retiring in 1979.He spoke to me about my brother being a wrestler and the other police officer was helping my father with advice on wrestling.It only makes sense that Robert Denton was that officer .My father endured a lot of tragedy in his time as a police officer but the man he described death effected him greatly.He told me what a really good police officer he was.I was always proud of my father's work as a police officer and should be proud to be related to truly one of the bravest.

Dad detective

October 24, 2012

Robert Denton was my Uncle. I barely remember him but as fate would have it, I do remember as a kid telling him one day not to go to the grocery store (I think he might have been a smoker)...maybe that's just because I wanted him to stay around, but it is one of those mysterious- perhaps coincidental, perhaps not - things.

I still wear a small Nassau County Police brass pin in his honor on my leather jacket.

Joey Tirado
Comedian
Houston, Texas

Houston Police Volunteer, IPOB member
Nephew

July 1, 2012

To the family of Patrolmen Robert Denton. It has been many years since Robert's death In the Line of Duty. He is gone , but on this Day myself and many others remember him. May he rest in peace and I hope the miscreant is still behind bars.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

July 24, 2009

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

Robyn Wilkes

July 20, 2009

"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

December 20, 2007

I was a rookie cop newly assigned to the 7 3 Pct. 10 year to the day that you were murdered. I often looked at your plaque and wondered how one human being could this to another human being. Life is just not fair. God bless you and R.I.P.

Ret. Sgt. Hector L. Garcia
New York City Police Dept.

March 7, 2005

Gone but not forgotten, rest in peace

officer
charlotte mecklenburg sheriff office

November 28, 2003