pOLICE OFFICER ROBERT j. bILODEAU

STREET CRIME UNIT

FEBRUARY 12, 1980

On February 12, 1980, Harlem’s legendary 28th precinct, was all too familiar to Police Officer Robert J. Bilodeau
and his partner. Ever vigilant street cops, they stopped their unmarked car to investigate six suspicious men.
But suddenly, one of the men reach for a gun. The gunman bolted down a narrow alleyway. Officer Bilodeau gave chase,
but the officer was shot as numerous gunshots were exchanged. He later died at Harlem Hospital.
The suspect was shot in the gunfight, but escaped and was arrested later, seeking treatment at a Mount Vernon hospital.
His prison sentence was 25 years to life.
Officer Bilodeau, a warrior street cop, second to none, was posthumously awarded his second Medal of Honor.
His first Medal of Honor was received after surviving a near-fatal knife attack,
just the previous year, in which his throat was slashed by a madman.