Detective Grottano died of wounds he received when he was shot as he attempted to capture an armed robbery suspect. He was off duty at the time, but saw the events unfold on the streets of Brooklyn. At approximately 2230 hours on May 19, 1924, a patrolman on his beat observed that there was no store clerk behind the counter of “The United Cigar Store” on Fulton Street, Brooklyn. When the patrolman stopped to investigate, a man standing in front of the store drew a handgun and pointed at the patrolman. The patrolman lunged at the suspect, who fled on foot. During the chase, the suspect ran by Detective Grottano, who was standing at the corner of Fulton Street and Hanover Place. Detective Grottano joined the patrolman in the foot chase. During the chase, the suspect opened fire. Detective Grottano and the patrolman returned fire. During the exchange, Detective Grottano was struck in the chest and fell to the ground, mortally wounded. As the chase continued, the suspect was also shot and killed. Detective Grottano was taken to Brooklyn Hospital where he died seven days later from his wounds. Det. Grottano lived in Brooklyn and was survived by his wife and two children. According to the New York Times, he had been previously attached to the Italian Squad.
Read the story of the events as reported in the New York Times on May 20, 1924, and September 15, 1924.
