Veteran police detectives Robert Parker and Patrick Rafferty were shot dead on a Brooklyn street in an exchange of gunfire with a man who had been menacing his mother inside her home. The detectives, Robert Parker and Patrick Rafferty were responding to a domestic violence call at about 8:40 p.m. in the East Flatbush section when they were fatally shot, both in the chest. The suspect, who was hit in both legs, carjacked a minivan and fled the scene. He was captured less than two hours later. The detectives were not wearing bullet-resistant vests.

Marlon Legere

The suspect, Marlon Legere, had a criminal history including arrests for alleged narcotics possession, grand larceny and assault but was not wanted for any major crimes at the time of the shooting, it was not immediately clear why he had opened fire on the two detectives. Police found one of the detectives' guns behind the building where Legere was found but had not located a gun belonging to the suspect by early Saturday morning. it was possible that Legere may have shot the detectives with one of their own guns, although the circumstances of the killing remained murky.

"The two detectives have joined the ranks of our fallen heroes," the mayor said at Kings County Hospital, where the officers were pronounced dead. According to State Department of Correctional Services records, Legere is 29 and has spent time in prison. The detectives had a photo of Legere when they went to the home because police had responded to a previous domestic disturbance call from the same address in May. In that incident, the mother complained he had taken her car without permission and broken a mirror in her house. On Friday night, Legere's mother called the 67th Precinct Detective Squad directly, rather than dialing 911. Police said it is common for crime victims to directly contact detectives with whom they've had prior dealings, and detectives will often respond in person to their complaints, as the detectives did Friday night. "The mother apparently expressed fear for her life, a fear for her safety and that's why the
detectives responded, After the officers approached Legere, he opened fire. The detectives returned fire, hitting him in both legs. Legere was being treated at Brookdale Hospital. When police got to the scene, they found the officers lying in the street, detective Parker conscious and Rafferty unconscious.

After the shooting, Legere limped a half-block, groaning in pain, and carjacked a Mercury Villager that he abandoned about 12 blocks away. Police later captured him in the third-floor hallway of a building after receiving reports of an injured man there.

Police said the detectives were well-known and respected in the community where they worked.
Detective Rafferty had served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years, and was assigned to the 67th Precinct Detective Squad. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Agency Information:
New York City Police Department
1 Police Plaza
Room 1320
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 646-610-6700


    CLICK HERE to post a condolence

Very sad to wake up to more horrible things on 9/11. I would have liked to have known this fine police officer, it would have made me a better person. And to the loved ones when you feel down and
depressed, hold your head up high and proud! knowing you had the time to know such a fine person
of the community and such a fine police officer. This officer is not forgotten on this day!

James R. Nowacki, NJ
jamesnowacki@yahoo.com

Date: 09/22/2004
Time: 06:53 PM

May your families, friends and loved ones find comfort in the fact that you did not give all in vain. For your memory will forever be honored in the job that you did everyday, keeping them and others you did not know as well as us, your partners, out of harms way. Rest in honor and peace fallen warriors...

In Valor There is Hope.

Police Officer, Rob Pride
Larimer County Drug Task Force, CO
prider@ci.loveland.co.us

Date: 09/14/2004
Time: 03:54 PM

Walk tall, walk tall and protect us from above with honor and dignity. May you lead the charge for
citizens right in heaven as you did here on earth

Darrell Thompson
Privet Security Officer St. Clair Co. MI,
Community College Campus Patrol #14
darrell@policespecial.com
www.sc4.edu

Rest in peace brother, and may God allow him to keep watch over us on earth while he patrols his beat
in heaven. Our prayers go out to the Officer and his Department and family. May they all find peace in their hearts soon.

From all the Staff at Police Special Inc.