SIU White Plains - May 20, 1994
On Friday, May 20, 1994, Investigator Ricky J. Parisian, 34, a member of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), was shot and killed when he attempted to stop an armed robbery at a supermarket in the City of Oneonta.
Parisian, who was off-duty at the time of the attack, was shopping with his wife when he spotted the robbery in progress. Assisted by his wife, Parisian first ushered store customers to a safe area. He then ran to the front of the store and tackled the robber. Both men fell through a plate glass window. The attacker, who was armed with a sawed-off shotgun, rose to his feet and fired once at Parisian.
Mortally wounded, Parisian continued to struggle with the suspect and managed to tear off the robber's ski mask and disarm him. He collapsed and his attacker fled. The mask and shotgun were secured as evidence and were instrumental in the apprehension of the robber.
Investigator Parisian was an eight-year veteran of the Division at the time of his death.