Name : Vitale, Gabriel 

Rank: P.O.
Shield #: 17193 Command: 109 Pct.
Date of Death: 1980-12-24   Cause of Death: Shot-Investigation
     
 Officer Vitale succumbed to gunshot wounds received while arresting a suspicious men. He and his partner were on foot patrol near an area where there was an alarm call. When they approached the men the two fled in different directions. Officer Vitale subdued one at gunpoint. Becoming concerned for his partner he holstered his weapon to use his radio. At that time the suspect pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Vitale. The suspect was apprehended after another shootout and sentenced to 30 years.  
 
     
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Comments from Friends    
     
I BEING A RETIRED NYPD MOS FROM THE 028 PCT AND CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NASSAU COUNTY FOP LODGE # 69 I'M HONORED TO SAY THAT WE HAVE AMONGST OUR MEMBERSHIP AS AN ASOCIATE CIVILIAN MEMBER , THE SON OF GABE VITALE , MR MARC VITALE A REAL GENTLEMAN !
— TIMOTHY MOTTO
I worked with Gabe in the 103Pct. A true gentleman. Rest in peace , Gabe. You are not forgotten.
— DennisConner
UNCLE GABE WAS MY FATHERS BROTHER, HE WAS A GREAT UNCLE AND A GREAT GUY!I REMEMBER MY COUSIN MARC & I WOULD CHALLENGE UNCLE GABE & MY FATHER TO A 2 ON 2 GAME OF HOOPS AT MARC`S DRIVEWAY COURT. THE GAMES WERE ALWAYS CLOSE {MARC WAS A DEADLY 3 POINT SHOOTER }I CLOGGED UP THE MIDDLE AND TRIED TO STOP UNCLE GABE, BUT HE ALWAYS TOOK ME TO SCHOOL, AND MOST GAMES ENDED WITH EITHER GABE OR MY FATHER JIM SINKING A GAME WINNING {CLASSIC VITALE HOOK SHOT}WE HAD LOTS OF FUN TEASING THE "OLD MEN" UNTIL THEY BEAT US, THEY ALWAY GOT THE LAST LAUGH.ANOTHER TIME UNCLE GABE TOOK MARC,HIS BROTHER GABE, AND MYSELF TO A METS GAME IN 1968 AT SHEA,BEFORE THE GAME STARTED THEY FILMED THE MOVIE THE "ODD COUPLE" THE SCENE WERE THE METS TURNED A TRIPLE PLAY. WE SAT IN BOX SEATS NEAR FIRST BASE IT WAS GREAT ! 1964 MY FATHER AND MY 3 UNCLES GOT SEASON JETS TICKETS 41 YEARS LATER UNCLE GABE`S SON MARC STILL HAS THE TICKETS. WE WENT TO MANY GAMES UP AT COLD SHEA WITH THAT WIND BLOWING.... I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT MY UNCLE GABE HE WAS LOVED BY EVERYONE THAT EVER MET HIM,I KNOW I LOVED HIM AND I MISS HIM ALOT, I ALWAYS FELT ME AND HIM WERE REAL TIGHT.I`LL NEVER FOGET MY UNCLE GABE !!
— JIMMY VITALE # 3
rest in peace.
— sjs
Posted: November 15, 2006, 12:29 pm
GABE LOOKS LIKE THE GUY I KNEW, I HADA HIGHSCHOOL FRIEND THAT DROVE A 67 GOLD CAMARO WHEN WE WORKED TOGETHER AT A GROCERY STORE,, WE WERE IN ALOT OF CLASES AND HAD FRIENDS TOGETHER , AND HIS NAME WAS gABE vITALE,, HIS dAD I THINK WAS NAMED gABE ALSO AND DATE OF DEATH WAS ABOUTH THE SAME TIME AS THIS OFFICER,, IT WAS A TRAGEDY,, BESIDES THAT HE HAD A SISTER NANNETE, THAT I KNEW AND WENT TO ITALY WITH IN 1977 , I MA PRETTY SURE HIS BROTHERS NAME WAS mARC AND MARC WAS A COUPLE YEARS OLDER THAN GABE ,, MR VITALE COACHED LITTLE LEAGUE AND I THINK BASKETBALL, TALL GUY AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE GABE FOR A FEW YEARS .. IF THIS IS THE SAME FAMILY GREAT IF YA HAVE NEWS LET ME KNOW IF ITS NOT ,,, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND PAYING THE ULTIMATE PRICE TO ENSURE OUR SAFTEY... NYPD THE FINEST IN THE NATION ..
— DAN DOMBAL
Posted: September 12, 2009, 12:37 am
This is my Father. He was taken from me when I was only four years old. Your memories of him are ones unfortunally I will never have of my own. Only a few times over the last thirty years I have met people who knew him. Any knowledge of him is helpful to me. It has been a disturbing fact that my Father's family all turned the backs on his youngest child and never seeked out to help me to know who this man was. I can stare at the picture thats above and try to imagine....for thats all I ever had. If you have any memories you would like to share email me...cdviola@verizon.net...Thank You! Rest In Peace DADDY XOXOXOXO
— Cynthia
Posted: September 25, 2009, 11:18 pm
I worked with Gabe in the 103 Pct and then the 109 Pct. He often car pooled with us. I remember that my partner and I were involved in and participated in the capture of the perpetrator the following 4x12. I went to Flushing Hospital to visit him but was not allowed to go in the room. I went to his memorial service as well. I also knew his partner Jimmy. I certainly remember him and think of him often.
— Tom Castagna
Posted: May 26, 2010, 6:43 am

 

 

Those who bloom in the hearts of others never fade away